ALBAWABA - Mert Yazıcıoğlu returns with Netflix series Aras, now postponed.
Mert Yazıcıoğlu's highly anticipated return to Netflix has been pushed back after producers decided to postpone filming on the upcoming drama "Aras." Originally scheduled to begin production this fall in Doğubayazıt, the project will now head to set in the spring due to extended production schedules and seasonal weather conditions.
The actor signed on to lead TMC Film's new Netflix original shortly after wrapping his work on "Kuruluş Orhan." The project also reunites him with acclaimed director Ömür Atay, who previously directed Yazıcıoğlu in the critically acclaimed series "Kızıl Goncalar." Their successful collaboration generated significant excitement when news of the reunion first emerged.
According to Turkish entertainment reports, the decision to delay production was made because the planned shooting schedule in eastern Türkiye would coincide with harsh winter conditions in Doğubayazıt, where a substantial portion of the series is set. Rather than compromise the visual quality of the production or face logistical challenges, the producers opted to move filming to the spring, when weather conditions will be more suitable for the project's demanding outdoor scenes.
The eight-episode Netflix drama follows Aras, an accomplished emergency room doctor living a quiet life in Istanbul with his dog. His world is turned upside down after discovering that everything he believed about his past is based on a lie. Determined to uncover the truth, Aras travels to Doğubayazıt, where he arrives at his family's ancestral mansion only to find himself caught in the middle of a long-running blood feud.
As Aras struggles to understand his true identity and survive the dangerous conflict surrounding him, he develops a close relationship with a woman named Ceylan, whose presence becomes central to both his emotional journey and the unfolding story. Turkish media describe the series as blending psychological drama, family secrets, romance, and action against the unique backdrop of eastern Anatolia.
The project is being produced by TMC Film exclusively for Netflix, with Ömür Atay attached to direct. Atay and Yazıcıoğlu previously earned praise for their work together on "Kızıl Goncalar," making their reunion one of the most anticipated collaborations of the upcoming streaming season.
Although production has been postponed, the delay is not believed to affect Netflix's commitment to the series. Instead, it reflects the production team's desire to preserve the authenticity of the story's setting by filming in the region under more favorable seasonal conditions.
In the meantime, Mert Yazıcıoğlu has remained busy with other projects, including starring opposite Cemre Baysel in the Go Türkiye promotional miniseries "Kalbimin Rotası Karadeniz," which recently completed filming across Trabzon, Rize, and Artvin ahead of its international release.
