Avlu

Came across this and thought I'd give it a go, really enjoyed it. Yes some bits at cheesy but most of the acting was fantastic, some parts very emotional.

It's the best series that I have seen lately. Incredible acting, great story and underrated ... 10/10

It follows many of the same plot points as season 1 of Wentworth in the first season, but it is not an exact copy.

Pros: +Turkish culture flavor. Great music and interesting minor cultural details. +Lead actress sells it. Decent acting all around considering the script given.

Cons -surface level emotions. Lots of tears and anger, but not much psychological depth compared to Wentworth. -conservative political influence, which seems to hinder sexual themes. -Very predictable even if you aren't familiar with Wentworth.

Overall, if you want a digestible Turkish show, go with this one. Expect easy viewing compared to most prison dramas. Nothing too special here, but the Turkish flavor and decent acting make this an easy mindless watch.

I've seen some people state that this show is better than Wentworth. It isnt. It's just different - in mostly great ways. The acting is outstanding - especially considering the seemingly mediocre writing. The Australian original gives the supporting cast in depth roles in the series and this version uses them as fillers. I wish they would have given the supporting cast a more active role in the series to make it more fulfilling. Despite that, they've managed to captivate the essence of Wentworth. The woman who plays Deniz is one of the best actresses I've ever come across. Her daughter as well, but I think she went a little overboard sometimes.

It is evident, by watching this, that Turkish people are sexually oppressed. Especially when it comes to LGBTQ. In that aspect, they changed the roles of main characters who were gay in the original to straight. While that was disheartening, I was pleased that that kept the romantic endeavors of straight people to a minimum as well and focused on the main storyline.

Overall, the show has kept me captivated despite those complaints.

Avlu/The Yard is an official adaptation so please do not rank low thinking it's a copycat.

I dislike almost all Turkish series and most Turkish films for mediocre acting and exaggerated dramatization.

The Yard has exceptionally good acting so I've been watching with pleasure. The cultural component is authentic so it never feels plastic. As a Turk, I felt proud of these Turkish actors and hope for greater performances and films.