ALBAWABA - Onur Dilber exit from Taşacak Bu Deniz sparks backstage controversy.
A growing controversy has emerged around Turkish drama Taşacak Bu Deniz (This Sea Will Overflow) following the unexpected departure of actor Onur Dilber, who portrayed the character Gezep.
The issue has become one of the most discussed topics in Turkish entertainment media after Dilber publicly expressed his surprise at learning that he would not be returning for the new season.
The actor initially released a statement saying that he had expected to continue with the series and was shocked by the decision. His comments quickly fueled speculation about what had happened behind the scenes of one of the season's most successful productions.
According to reports in Turkish media, tensions between Dilber and the production team had allegedly been building for months.
Several entertainment outlets claimed that one source of friction involved the actor's dissatisfaction with some of the scenes written for his character. According to backstage allegations, Dilber frequently contacted screenwriters Ayşe Ferda Eryılmaz and Nehir Erdem regarding Gezep's storyline and requested additional scenes for his character.
Reports suggested that disagreements over these requests created tension during the season. Some Turkish media outlets even claimed that the writers eventually became frustrated with the situation.
Another widely discussed allegation concerns the season finale.
According to entertainment reports circulating in Türkiye, an argument allegedly took place between Onur Dilber and lead actor Ulaş Tuna Astepe during filming of a henna night scene. The claim quickly spread online and became one of the most talked-about aspects of the controversy.
However, no official confirmation has been provided regarding the details of the alleged incident, and neither actor has publicly confirmed that a fight occurred.
Additional reports claimed that Dilber questioned certain creative decisions related to his character throughout the season. One allegation suggested that he objected to scenes involving traditional Ramadan rhymes and reportedly asked, "Am I a Ramadan drummer?" Later, according to the same reports, he allegedly requested that similar scenes be included again after viewers began discussing their absence.
Turkish media also reported that tensions increased after Dilber allegedly told Ulaş Tuna Astepe during the final stages of filming that he believed he had been assigned the wrong role in the series. According to reports, Astepe chose not to escalate the situation.
After the season finale aired, work reportedly began on the story for the new season. During that process, Dilber was allegedly informed that Gezep would not continue in the upcoming season.
The controversy intensified when Onur Dilber shared a public statement before holding a final meeting with the production company. Around the same time, fans noticed that he had unfollowed screenwriters Ayşe Ferda Eryılmaz and Nehir Erdem on social media. Turkish media later reported that he followed them again shortly afterward.
As speculation continued, Onur Dilber issued another statement strongly rejecting many of the claims circulating online.
"The allegations spread by those trying to reduce the situation to gossip and tarnish a truth known by our audience and the public are manipulative lies. Please do not believe them," he said.
Meanwhile, Turkish media reports indicate that Taşacak Bu Deniz is expected to begin filming its new season in September.
According to current information, Gezep will be the only major departure from the core cast. The role of Timur Volkov, played by Celil Nalçakan, is expected to continue, and reports suggest that members of Timur's family may become part of the storyline in the new season.
Another character expected to play an important role in future episodes is Fatih Furtuna. Turkish media reports indicate that the character will not appear immediately at the start of the season but is expected to enter the story during the early episodes.
For now, the exact reasons behind Onur Dilber's departure remain the subject of debate. While backstage reports have offered various explanations, neither the production company nor the actor has provided a detailed public account of what ultimately led to Gezep's exit from the series.
