ALBAWABA - Burak Özçivit is returning to television with a new leading role, and the first teaser for his highly anticipated series Güneşin Doğduğu Yer has now given viewers their first look at Kenan Kozan.
The new ATV drama, produced by Tims&B Productions, is among the projects attracting attention ahead of the new television season. Filming is taking place in Adana, with the production also using the mansion that became widely known through Bir Zamanlar Çukurova as one of its main locations. Turkish reports have confirmed that the series is being prepared as one of ATV’s major new-season dramas.
Burak Özçivit plays Kenan Kozan, the young heir of one of Çukurova’s established families. His character finds himself caught between the expectations of his powerful family and the love that changes his life.
The story centers on Kenan and Leyla, whose paths cross after Kenan encounters the woman he falls deeply in love with in Germany. Their relationship, however, is far from straightforward. Kenan’s mother, Celadet, strongly opposes the relationship and has her own plans for her son’s future.
Sibel Taşçıoğlu plays Celadet, the powerful matriarch of the Kozan family, while Görkem Sevindik portrays Ceyhun. Devrim Yakut appears as Devran, and Bahar Süer plays Gül Kozan. The cast also includes Muharrem Türkseven, Nazlıcan Demir and İlker Yavuz.
The role of Leyla is played by Beyza Gümülcine. She was initially reported to be playing a character named Tina, but Turkish media later reported that the character's name was changed to Leyla following revisions to the screenplay.
Gümülcine’s casting followed an extensive search for Burak Özçivit’s leading partner. Reports said she was selected after screen tests with Özçivit, eventually becoming the female lead opposite the veteran star.
Another important character is Hanzade, played by Hilal Anay. Hanzade is Devran’s daughter and Ceyhun’s sister, and she has an important connection to the Kozan family. Celadet considers Hanzade a suitable match for Kenan, creating another complication as Kenan’s relationship with Leyla develops.
The series has already attracted attention because of a major casting change before filming. Uğur Güneş was originally attached to play Kenan Kozan but left the production during the contract stage after reportedly failing to reach an agreement with the production company on the terms. Burak Özçivit subsequently took over the role.
That change generated considerable discussion in Turkish entertainment media, particularly after Güneş shared social-media posts that were interpreted by some as indirect references to the casting situation. The reports surrounding the change, however, should be distinguished from confirmed statements about the reasons for the production's final casting decision.
Behind the camera, Güneşin Doğduğu Yer is written by Yıldız Tunç and directed by Çağrı Vila Lostuvalı and Çiğdem Bozali. The series is produced by Timur Savcı and Burak Sağyaşar under Tims&B Productions.
The Adana setting is also an important part of the production’s identity. The story revolves around two established families in Çukurova, their power struggles and the difficult love story developing between Kenan and Leyla. The combination of family rivalry, romance, secrets and generational expectations places the series firmly in the tradition of large-scale Turkish television dramas.
With filming moving forward and the first teaser now released, attention is turning to Burak Özçivit’s return to the small screen and his new partnership with Gümülcine. Güneşin Doğduğu Yer is shaping up as one of ATV’s notable new dramas, with its large cast, Adana setting and complicated family story giving viewers plenty to anticipate.
