User Reviews

Avlu, started with a single-plan opening like a movie. It was quite impressive and the music selection was very good. At the beginning of the series they showed Istanbul very well. It really makes you feel like you're watching a movie. Series filmings are very good.

Demet Evgar is one of the rare players who suits both comedy and drama. For the first time Ceren Moray came out with this role. And this role really suits her. It will be pleasant to watch the battle of Kudret and Azra. The most exciting TV series I've seen in recent times.

The most painful realities of Turkey described in this sequence. Those who were killed by their father when they demanded protection from the state, those who were killer to protect from violence... 8/10

Avlu/The Yard is an official adaptation so please do not rank low thinking it's a copycat.

I dislike almost all Turkish series and most Turkish films for mediocre acting and exaggerated dramatization.

The Yard has exceptionally good acting so I've been watching with pleasure. The cultural component is authentic so it never feels plastic. As a Turk, I felt proud of these Turkish actors and hope for greater performances and films.

Came across this and thought I'd give it a go, really enjoyed it. Yes some bits at cheesy but most of the acting was fantastic, some parts very emotional.

The fight scene at the beginning of the series, accompanied by classical music, was not boring at all, although between Istanbul skyscrapers were very long. The created world had a different concept than the prisons we know. The prisoners were wearing one type of outfit, but this type of detail was not attached to the flow of events. There was a complete musical feast, from classical music to ankara music and even rap singing. It get a one point for me. I like the dialogue in the series very much.

Despite the length of the episode, I followed a story that was flowing. There was no doubt about Demet Evgar's play, but other players are probably portraying the best characters of their careers. The excitement appeared at the end of the section where the dose would gradually increase. I think we're normally unsuccessful in adapting and obviously do not want to miss it when there's a good chance of watching a good adaptation. Congratulations to the team. The roads are open, the ratings are plentiful.

It's one of the best series that I have seen lately. Great story, compelling characters and outstanding acting. A definite recommendation to anyone who is looking for a prison tv series to watch!

It's the best series that I have seen lately. Incredible acting, great story and underrated ... 10/10

It follows many of the same plot points as season 1 of Wentworth in the first season, but it is not an exact copy.

Pros: +Turkish culture flavor. Great music and interesting minor cultural details. +Lead actress sells it. Decent acting all around considering the script given.

Cons -surface level emotions. Lots of tears and anger, but not much psychological depth compared to Wentworth. -conservative political influence, which seems to hinder sexual themes. -Very predictable even if you aren't familiar with Wentworth.

Overall, if you want a digestible Turkish show, go with this one. Expect easy viewing compared to most prison dramas. Nothing too special here, but the Turkish flavor and decent acting make this an easy mindless watch.

I rarely cry at a movie. This series had me in tears. It's much better than Wentworth.

Im in 3 episodes so far, and I must say I'm quite impressed. The directing is old-school good, and the acting is excellent as well. I suppose the low ratings are from people who see it as "too dramatic", but with how the story is portrayed, I think it should be that way, and the acting goes well with that. Good job.

Just finished watching season 2, & I'm hoping season 3 will come along at some point soon. The Yard tries very hard to push boundaries whilst working within the contraints of Turkish film censorship, but for 2018 it was pretty tame when compared to UKs Bad Girls, that came along nearly 20 YEARS before it in 1999. However both Azra, & especially Kudret made the most of their roles as the prisons two top dogs. Kudret being the best character in the show by a good percentage. If you had the language setting on cheesy american accent overdub, you wouldnt be able to hear Kudrets true evil voice in Turkish. So I highly recommend you dont watch it with dubbed English, use the subtitles instead(if you dont understand Turkish of course).

Deniz was the Main character, & while she played the part well, her constant crying became galling.....these scenes lasting several minutes, which slowed the pace down somewhat. Other inmates played their roles well. ...very standard token characters for women's prison dramas. Outside the prison, Id say Hakan Demir was the best character...a well played & tragic role for Deniz's alcoholic husband, I kinda wish they developed him more.

Other favs include ...Melis who played the fair idealist left thinking governor, her ideas juxtaposed the prison systems rules, was very well done..& a very likable character

So after watching both seasons, im ready for the 3rd. Btw I loved the scenes of Istanbul, & ive even become interested in learning Turkish...so thats a bonus right?

That says it all; except that the majority of plot lines are ripped off from Wentworth and Orange is the New Black. Major portions of each episode can be ff through due to these three points: meaningless montages with bad music; stomach turning melodrama; seen it all before, so predictable, so as to eliminate any and all drama, expectation, etc. Seriously flawed, at a time when Turkish cinema is exploding with good stuff.

I've seen some people state that this show is better than Wentworth. It isnt. It's just different - in mostly great ways. The acting is outstanding - especially considering the seemingly mediocre writing. The Australian original gives the supporting cast in depth roles in the series and this version uses them as fillers. I wish they would have given the supporting cast a more active role in the series to make it more fulfilling. Despite that, they've managed to captivate the essence of Wentworth. The woman who plays Deniz is one of the best actresses I've ever come across. Her daughter as well, but I think she went a little overboard sometimes.

It is evident, by watching this, that Turkish people are sexually oppressed. Especially when it comes to LGBTQ. In that aspect, they changed the roles of main characters who were gay in the original to straight. While that was disheartening, I was pleased that that kept the romantic endeavors of straight people to a minimum as well and focused on the main storyline.

Overall, the show has kept me captivated despite those complaints.

Great series but not as good as Wentworth. Too many similarities yet still a great watch. I'll watch another season.

Over dramatic ! Sumone crying amd crying every five mins .....

I swear it is better than the original one. Like camera angels, vfx-sfx and all that stuff. Wow men, it is the one of the best Turkish series, just watch it :).

This series is a bit like the Dutch 'celblok H'. very well acted and ideal for bingewatching.

This was an incredibly well written and acted series. The characters were extremely well developed and complex. This show has been compared to Wentworth, so I watched Wentworth after seeing Avlu. Wentworth was so mediocre and poorly done in comparison. All of their characters were one dimensional, and mostly unlikable while all the characters in Avlu were captivating. I highly recommend this show for the more discerning viewers. It's a class act.

I really like Turkish movies and especially enjoy the cultural details, listening to the language, the stars and especially the fantastic scenery! So, I don't like rating this one so low and based upon it's own points it should be higher.

However, I also have to be fair to myself and others like me. I have watched several Turkish TV series from beginning to end and with each one, it gets harder and harder to finish the series. Not because there are not wonderful entertainment aspects, but they are too similar to American soap operas and I will not watch even one episode of those! If the highly emotional/dramatic scenes don't bother you, then I heartily recommend you watch and enjoy this.

This show is similar to Wentworth. The names are different, but is similar. I like it though. It's a good show

It's way too soapy, dramatic and emotional, every 5 minutes someone is crying and the scenes where characters are crying last for several minutes, it gets incredibly boring and annoying after a while, even though the plot itself was not bad.

The yard is a great watch. Easy to get into. The story line is very close to another women's prison series, but its still entertaining. Watching these types of shows though makes me wonder if prisons in other countries (besides America) are really this harsh? Stuff like in these shows hardly ever happens here.

This is the Turkish version of Australia's WENTWORTH

This series is better than the original and I love this.

I loved it, I wiped and suffer a lot, as a mum...music was amazing, overwhelming sometimes, especially at her daughter funerals I felt is heartbreaking....