Eccho Rights has licensed Ay Yapim’s Turkish drama Heart of the City into three additional markets, including Iran and Iraq.
Antena in Romania, Gem in Iran and Kurdmax in Iraq have picked up the show, which comes from the same creative team behind Brave and Beautiful. The drama debuted on ATV in Turkey in January and was previously sold into Chile and Georgia.
“Heart of the City is a truly gripping series which I personally look forward to watching each week,” said Fredrik af Malmborg, the managing director of Eccho Rights. “The story is very moving, and the performances of the hugely talented cast are really affecting.”
Heart of the City (Bu Şehir Arkandan Gelecek) is the story of Ali, a handsome sailor, brought up aboard a cargo ship by Rauf, who saved him as a child after they were both witness to the murder of his mother – at the hands of his father. Rauf doesn’t just take good care of Ali but also the ship’s crew and he is affectionately referred to as their “Mother.” Raised at sea, Ali is still terrified to return to his roots in Istanbul and the trauma of his mother’s death, even after 20 years. When one day he is forced off the ship he encounters the enchanting ballet dancer Derin, and immediately falls for her, chasing her deep in to the city to save a potentially disastrous audition. The series stars Kerem Bürsin in the role of Ali.
