ALBAWABA - Grand Maison Istanbul casts Kerem Bürsin as lead.
Turkish actor Kerem Bürsin is preparing to headline another major digital production as work officially begins on "Grand Maison Istanbul," the Turkish adaptation of the acclaimed Japanese drama "Grand Maison Tokyo." According to Turkish entertainment media, the eight-episode series is being produced by Dass Yapım and will be released exclusively on Prime Video, bringing one of Japan's most successful culinary dramas to Turkish audiences with a local storyline and setting.
Bürsin has already begun preparations for the project while simultaneously filming a new commercial campaign for the mobile operator he represents. Once production on the advertisement is completed, his focus will shift entirely to the new series, where he will play Ateş Leventoğlu, an accomplished and charismatic chef whose passion for fine dining drives the story.
The original Japanese series, "Grand Maison Tokyo," premiered in 2019 starring Takuya Kimura and became a critical and commercial success. It follows a talented chef determined to rebuild his career after a professional setback by opening a world-class restaurant capable of earning Michelin recognition. The Turkish adaptation is expected to preserve the culinary spirit of the original while adapting the characters, locations, and cultural elements for audiences in Türkiye.
According to Turkish media reports, "Grand Maison Istanbul" will consist of eight episodes, with the screenplay being developed by Dass Yapım's in-house writing team. While the production follows the original concept, the Turkish version will tell its own story through local characters and settings.
One notable production decision is the choice of Urla, in İzmir Province, as the principal filming location. Known for its vineyards, olive groves, boutique restaurants, and growing reputation as one of Türkiye's leading gastronomic destinations, Urla provides a natural backdrop for a series centered on high-end cuisine. The region has become increasingly popular among chefs and food enthusiasts, making it a fitting location for the adaptation.
Casting is still underway for the female lead, Defne, who will play a central role opposite Kerem Bürsin. Turkish entertainment sources report that negotiations with actresses are continuing, although no official casting announcement has yet been made. Likewise, the production team has not finalized the director, with discussions reportedly still ongoing before filming begins.
The project marks Kerem Bürsin's latest collaboration with a major streaming platform as he continues balancing television, film, and commercial work. Over the past decade, Bürsin has established himself as one of Türkiye's most internationally recognized actors through productions including "Güneşi Beklerken," "Şeref Meselesi," "Bu Şehir Arkandan Gelecek," and the globally successful romantic comedy "Sen Çal Kapımı."
Turkish media have also reported that production on "Outside the Line," the upcoming volleyball-themed feature film starring Kerem Bürsin and Alina Boz, has been postponed. The delay is expected to allow Bürsin to complete work on "Grand Maison Istanbul" before moving on to the film project.
With pre-production now underway, "Grand Maison Istanbul" is shaping up to be one of Prime Video Türkiye's most anticipated original productions. Combining an internationally acclaimed format, a culinary storyline, and Kerem Bürsin in the leading role, the series is expected to attract significant interest from both Turkish viewers and international fans when it premieres.
