Aybüke Pusat cast alongside Çağatay Ulusoy in ‘Eşref Tek’ amid fan backlash

Aybüke Pusat joins Çağatay Ulusoy in a new series amid criticism.

Aybüke Pusat is reportedly preparing to join Çağatay Ulusoy in Prime Video’s upcoming series ‘Eşref Tek’, but the casting news has already sparked mixed reactions among Turkish television fans. While some viewers are excited to see the two actors together, others have questioned the production team’s decision and whether Pusat is the right choice for the leading female role.

According to journalist Birsen Altuntaş, Pusat has been selected to play Derin in the eight-episode digital series, which is being produced by TimBi, the company led by Timur Savcı and Burak Sağyaşar. The news was reported on November 3, with several Turkish entertainment outlets subsequently sharing the casting update.

Aybüke Pusat will reportedly star opposite Ulusoy, who is returning as Eşref in the new project. The actress previously appeared in the action series ‘Teşkilat’ and recently played Melek in ‘Halef: Köklerin Çağrısı’, leaving the latter at the end of its first season.

Aybüke Pusat’s Casting Receives Mixed Reactions

The announcement quickly became a talking point on social media, where viewers shared different opinions about the choice.

Some fans expressed disappointment, arguing that Pusat was not their preferred actress for the role. Others questioned her acting abilities and whether she could match Ulusoy’s screen presence in a leading role. Comments also included personal criticism of her appearance, with some viewers arguing that she was not the right visual match for the character.

Several reactions were particularly negative, with some social media users saying they would not watch the series following the casting news. Others openly questioned the production team’s decision and suggested that a different actress would have been more suitable.

The reaction was not entirely negative, however. Pusat also received messages of support from fans who congratulated her on landing the role and expressed confidence in her ability to play Derin. Some viewers pointed to her previous experience in action productions as a reason to give her a chance.

Demet Özdemir Was Among the Names Fans Expected

Part of the discussion surrounding Pusat’s casting comes from earlier speculation about who would play the female lead. Demet Özdemir had previously been mentioned as a possible name for the project, leading some viewers to expect her to reunite with Ulusoy.

After Pusat’s reported casting became public, some fans continued to express their preference for Özdemir, while others suggested different actresses for the role. The discussion has therefore become about more than just the new pairing, with viewers also debating the direction of the project and its casting choices.

What Is ‘Eşref Tek’ About?

Unlike a direct continuation of ‘Eşref Rüya’, ‘Eşref Tek’ will explore the earlier years of Eşref’s life. The story reportedly follows the younger Eşref as he travels from Cyprus to Istanbul in search of his childhood love, Rüya, before becoming involved in the criminal underworld and meeting Kadir.

Görkem Sevindik is also expected to return as Kadir, making him the other familiar character from the original series. The new production is planned as an eight-episode story for Prime Video.

Timur Savcı and Burak Sağyaşar are producing the project under TimBi, with Uluç Bayraktar directing and Ethem Özışık writing the script. Filming is expected to begin in the coming days, although Prime Video has not announced an official release date.

For Pusat, the role marks another major opportunity in her television career. However, with the casting already generating debate, viewers will be watching closely to see how she and Ulusoy work together when the series finally reaches the screen.