My husband and I have been big fans of Çagatay Ulusoy since his performance in the 2016-2017 Turkish series Içerde (Insider). The Terzi series just solidified for us what an amazing actor he is. He plays Peyami, who is a tailor by trade and is wearing his cards very close to his chest...juggling multiple secrets while trying to help keep his childhood friend-business partner in check. His best friend is Dimitri who is on the verge of his wedding to Esvet and has had Peyami make her wedding dress without ever actually seeing her. Peyami's grandfather passes away and in moves his grandmother with his mentally ill father Mustafa, who he has tried to keep from both the public and his best friend. To help him wrangle work, his best friend, and at least one of his secrets is Suzi, his right hand and office manager. This strong and hardworking character is played by the lovely Ece Sükan.
This is the first time I have seen mental illness portrayed in a Turkish series. First, I want to mention what an amazing job Olgun Simsek is doing portraying the mentally ill character of Mustafa, who had meningitis in his youth and has been kept perpetually young mentally ever since. His son Peyami has been ashamed of his father and asked his grandfather to help hide him away. It is interesting to watch Peyami's struggling with both loving his father and being ashamed. Additionally he has had a secret search going for his biological mother who has not been in his life.
This isn't the only mental illness in the series...Esvet, is adopted by a couple who have a mentally ill son who needs to be taken care of and Dimitri himself seems to suffer from some kind of psychosis that causes violent irrational outbreaks and results in cruel behavior...while at the same time he seems to have an affinity for the innocent animals and child like mentally ill.
My favorite character was Cemre, who was a bit of a surprise in season two. Initially, I thought she was going to be destructive and cause nothing but problems...but she seems to walk this interesting and supportive line that surprised me.
I am writing this review in between the second and third season...and I have to say the third season has a lot to wrap up. Season one ends in a cliffhanger that makes you concerned for a beloved character's life and season two has a beautiful reunion ending.
Really well acted, gorgeous Turkish sets, beautiful musical score, whirling Sufi Dervishes, and a unique story built around family/mental illness make this drama a worth watching series.
My review is based on watching this series in the original Turkish language with English subtitles.
