Enemies to lovers is one of the most dependable ideas in Turkish romance. Two people start on opposite sides, whether through business, family, a deal or a crime, and the story is the slow, bumpy road from conflict to attachment. When it works, every argument is also a love scene.
We use the term fairly broadly here. Some of these couples begin as true rivals, while others begin as a captor and captive or as partners in a deal that neither believes in. We have grouped the seven picks by how the hostility begins, because that is what shapes the story. Episode counts refer to the original Turkish broadcast.
At a glance
| Series | How it starts | Episodes | Tone |
| Love Is in the Air | A fake engagement | ~52 | Light, funny |
| Brave and Beautiful | Pride and class | 32 | Glossy, dramatic |
| Price of Passion | Protector and witness | 32 | Tense |
| Breathless | A hostage situation | 10 | Dark, short |
| Asi | Warring families | 71 | Classic, slower |
| Gülcemal | Open hostility | 13 | Passionate, compact |
| Eşref Rüya | A powerful man meets a woman who refuses to be intimidated | Still airing | Modern, intense |
When the conflict is a deal
1. Love Is in the Air (Sen Çal Kapımı)
2020 to 2021 · FOX · about 52 episodes over two seasons
Eda, a florist, agrees to pretend to be engaged to a company heir in exchange for a scholarship. The pretense keeps forcing them together, and neither expected to start caring about the other. Hande Erçel and Kerem Bürsin star.
Why it works: it is the lightest option here and the best first pick if you want the trope with plenty of humor.
When pride and class get in the way
2. Brave and Beautiful (Cesur ve Güzel)
2016 to 2017 · Star TV · 32 episodes
Cesur and Sühan come from different worlds, and their first meetings are marked by distrust and pride. Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ and Tuba Büyüküstün star. It was nominated for an International Emmy for Best Telenovela.
Why it works: it has the full melodramatic treatment of the trope, with a dramatic soundtrack and lavish settings.
3. Eşref Rüya
2025 · Kanal D · still airing
According to DiziCentral, Eşref is a powerful man and Nisan refuses to be intimidated by him. Çağatay Ulusoy and Demet Özdemir play the leads. Because it is still airing, its story is not complete, so it is better for viewers who want to follow weekly.
Why it works: the pairing of two well-known leads makes it a popular recent choice.
When the situation is dangerous
4. Price of Passion (Siyah Beyaz Aşk)
2017 to 2018 · Kanal D · 32 episodes
A doctor, Aslı, is a witness to a dangerous incident, and Ferhat, a guarded man tied to a criminal network, is responsible for her safety. The relationship begins in fear and mistrust. İbrahim Çelikkol and Birce Akalay star.
Why it works: the danger gives every quiet scene an edge.
5. Breathless (Nefes Nefese)
2018 · Star TV · 10 episodes
Yusuf takes Rüya hostage, and over the course of a dangerous journey the relationship between them changes. Şükrü Özyıldız and Melisa Şenolsun lead. A captor-and-captive romance is a divisive version of the trope, so read the synopsis before you start.
Why it works: it is the shortest series on the list, and it is much darker than the others.
When there is a family feud or open hostility
6. Asi
2007 to 2009 · Kanal D · 71 episodes over two seasons
Asi's family is in conflict with Demir's, and their attraction runs against everything their families expect. Murat Yıldırım stars. It is slower than modern series, which suits viewers who like the build-up.
Why it works: it is an early example of the classic Turkish love-across-a-feud story.
7. Gülcemal
2023 · NOW · one season, 13 episodes
Gülcemal and Deva begin in open hostility, and DiziCentral describes the story as a passionate romance that seems impossible. Melis Sezen and Murat Ünalmış star. It was cancelled after one season, so the story is short.
Why it works: a short, intense take on the trope for viewers who do not want a long run.
Why the trope works so well on Turkish television
- Long runtimes give room for change. A relationship that moves from hostility to love over dozens of hours feels earned.
- Family and class create real obstacles. The conflict is rarely a simple misunderstanding.
- Chemistry is central. Casting leads with strong chemistry is a priority.
For other kinds of love stories, see our list of the best Turkish romantic dramas, or browse the romantic comedies and romance pages. New to dizi? Start with our best Turkish dramas for beginners.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Turkish enemies to lovers series?
Love Is in the Air is the most popular lighter option, and Brave and Beautiful is a good choice for classic melodrama.
Which one is the shortest?
Breathless has 10 episodes, and Gülcemal has 13.
Are there any enemies to lovers series that are not too dark?
Love Is in the Air is the lightest. Breathless is among the darkest.
Is Eşref Rüya finished?
According to DiziCentral, it is still airing, so its story has not concluded.
Why is the trope so popular in Turkish series?
Long runtimes and family-centered plots give writers room to build a relationship slowly and with real obstacles.
