Netflix’s New Drama Turns Istanbul Into A Living Encyclopedia

Istanbul Encyclopedia is a new Turkish drama series on Netflix that follows the story of Zehra, a young woman who moves to Istanbul as a university student, staying with a distant relative she barely knows.

The series takes its name and conceptual frame from a real book — the Istanbul Encyclopedia, an ambitious but unfinished project by historian and novelist Reşad Ekrem Koçu, who sought to create a “grand register” of Istanbul, blending historical facts, urban legends, and everyday life into richly illustrated, story-driven entries. Just like the series, the encyclopedia ends with the letter “G.”

Each episode is named after a specific place in the city, guiding the viewer not only through a narrative arc but also through the city’s geography and mood. For example, the first episode — Alçakdam Slope — is named after a steep, unregulated street. Once you start running down it, it’s hard to stop — a perfect metaphor for Zehra’s whirlwind entrance into Istanbul life.

Zehra herself is an open-hearted, slightly clumsy, and deeply relatable character. At times, the story becomes almost uncomfortably emotional in its portrayal of her anxiety and vulnerability. Overall, it’s a classic coming-of-age tale about a girl from a small town being transformed by the big city.

But Zehra isn’t the only protagonist. At the center of the story is also Nesrin, her distant relative — a cultured, middle-aged woman working as a surgeon. There are layers of hidden family drama and complex, unresolved relationships between Nesrin and Zehra’s mother, adding a quiet sense of mystery. This series isn’t just about the present; the past is always lurking, carrying unspoken weight.

In addition to the emotional and romantic arcs of both women, the show also explores deeper social tensions — between rural religiosity and modern urban life, between staying and migrating, and between tradition and transformation. It reflects the mobility of contemporary society: some move to Istanbul, others leave it behind. All of this is wrapped in stunning views of the city, set to music rich in ethnic motifs. 

That said, the series isn’t without its flaws, either. It might have been stronger had it focused solely on the teen storyline. By combining Zehra’s coming-of-age with Nesrin’s midlife struggles, the series attempts to speak to a broader audience — which could also be an advantage for some viewers — but it sometimes loses coherence, making parts of the story feel less engaging for some viewers.

For certain segments of the audience, Istanbul Encyclopedia may also seem to be too dramatic. Still, moments of humor and irony help lighten the heavy emotional tone. At one point, Nesrin, the doctor, yells at her lover that he’s manipulative “because he’s a Scorpio” — a line that adds levity to an otherwise intense atmosphere. 

This series definitely isn’t for everyone. It feels like Istanbul itself — some will find it too loud or chaotic, but others will definitely fall in love with its rich atmosphere.