Turkish drama Arafta has emerged as a breakout hit for GoQuest Media and Rains Pictures, hitting 1 million YouTube subscribers in just 43 days, the distributor reports.

In a move that signals a new chapter for Turkish drama distribution, Arafta launched as a YouTube-first release in November 2025, and the strategy is paying off handsomely. The series’ explosive digital performance has become a powerful proof point for buyers, with the series already licensed across Turkey, Israel, Romania, India, Indonesia and Latvia – even as production continues. In Turkey, Arafta began airing on Kanal 7 in December 2025.

The numbers speak for themselves: total views have blown past 200 million, with the premiere episode alone amassing over 18 million views. The on-screen pairing of leads Emin Günenç and İlsu Demirci has ignited social media, driving a wave of fan edits and reaction videos that has kept the show trending across platforms. YouTube operations are handled by Turning Red Media.

Arafta represents a powerhouse creative partnership, uniting GoQuest Media – the distribution force behind hit drama Kuma (The Other Wife) – with production heavyweight Rains Pictures, whose credits include global favorites Rüzgarlı Tepe (Winds of Love) and Kan Çiçekleri (Vendetta).

The drama follows Mercan (İlsu Demirci), a woman caught between survival and sacrifice, and Ateş (Emin Günenç), a wealthy man haunted by secrets from his past. At its heart, the series explores the razor-thin line between love and vengeance.

“With Arafta, GoQuest Media builds on the success of Kuma’s digital-plus-licensing model,” said Vivek Lath, Managing Director of GoQuest Media. “Episode 1’s strong start, crossing the 18 million views mark, and early international deals affirm the demand for premium Turkish content and signal our next phase of creative ambition beyond borders.”

Sevda Kaygısız of Rains Pictures commented: “From the outset, Arafta has been positioned as a standout project through its compelling story, strong cast performances, and high-pace production model. The remarkable level of engagement achieved on YouTube in such a short period of time stands as a clear testament to the deep emotional connection audiences have formed with the series; as Rains Pictures, we see this success as going beyond digital metrics, reflecting strong confidence in Arafta’s long-term vision and sustainability, and we believe that the creative partnership established with GoQuest Media marks the beginning of a new chapter in the global journey of Turkish drama.”