Falling Leaves

Set in Istanbul, Falling Leaves follows the Tekin family as they relocate to the city and confront the frictions between tradition and modern life. Their arrival unsettles a once close knit unit, stirring ambition, pride, love, and doubt in equal measure. The series tracks how each member adapts to urban life, shifting loyalties, and the pressures of public image, all while trying to hold a fragile family bond together. Rather than delivering simple answers, the show reveals a tangle of consequences that ripple through generations, with miscommunications, secrets, and competing desires tugging at the threads of affection. Through rich character portraits, it asks what family means when the backdrop of a bustling metropolis encroaches on longstanding values. Its pacing lets relationships unfold in layers, inviting viewers to read between the lines.

Directed by Mesude Erarslan, Falling Leaves adapts Reşat Nuri Güntekin's Yaprak Dökümü for modern TV with careful pacing and vivid Istanbul settings. It premiered on Kanal D on September 13, 2005 and ran for five seasons, totaling 174 episodes across Turkey in primetime.

The show blends family drama with social change, focusing on how characters negotiate care, pride, and responsibility in a rapidly modernizing Istanbul. It places a spotlight on how secrets, sacrifice, and generational gaps shape decisions and loyalties, often under pressure.

As an adaptation of a beloved Turkish novel, the series helped popularize long form family sagas on television and showcased an ambitious ensemble cast. Its mix of literary backstory and everyday struggle left a lasting mark on Turkish drama, and its success sparked broader interest.

The series is described as award winning, reflecting broad recognition for its faithful adaptation and the depth of its ensemble cast. While individual prize names aren’t listed here, its sustained run, critical acclaim, and devoted audience underline its impact on Turkish television. Its sustained run and praise attest to influence.