Midnight At The Pera Palace Netflix Review
Midnight at the Pera Palace is a fresh Turkish original series on Netflix that’s incredibly addictive. If you love hidden gems and are a fan of the time travel romance genre, this one is a must-watch.
The show is a blend of drama, murder mystery, comedy, romance, and conspiracies, ensuring there’s never a dull moment. It’s ideal for fans of shows like Timeless, Grand Hotel, and Lost in Austen.
Plot Overview
The story centers around Esra, a journalist who ends up traveling back to 1919 while researching an article about the historic Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul. Thrust into a web of political intrigue, she discovers she has a doppelganger from the past and must prevent a plot that could alter modern Turkey’s fate.
Main Cast
– Hazal Kaya as Esra and Perida: Esra is a young journalist in her 20s assigned to write about the 130th anniversary of Pera Palace. Through a twist of fate, she travels back to 1919 and meets her doppelganger, Perida. Along the way, she encounters a mysterious “bad boy,” further complicating her mission.
– Tansu Biçer as Ahmet: Ahmet is the quirky hotel manager with secrets tied to time travel. He becomes Esra’s closest ally in her quest.
– Selahattin Paşalı as Halit: Halit is a smoldering nightclub owner who develops feelings for Esra. His true intentions remain ambiguous, adding another layer of suspense.
Supporting Cast
The supporting cast includes Engin Hepileri as a policeman with feelings for Perida, Hakan Dinçkol as Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, James Chalmers as a villainous British soldier, and more. Each character adds depth and intrigue to the series.
Story Highlights
The series draws loose inspiration from Charles King’s award-winning non-fiction book, Midnight at the Pera Palace: The Birth of Modern Istanbul. Esra, an orphaned journalist, gets entangled in a historic conspiracy when she travels back to 1919. Alongside Ahmet and the enigmatic Halit, she grapples with the challenge of saving Turkey’s future while navigating complex relationships.
Review
Midnight at the Pera Palace ticks all the boxes for a captivating time travel romance. It’s packed with adventure, clever twists, intriguing characters, and mysteries waiting to be unraveled. The show is binge-worthy and entertaining, making it the perfect weekend watch.
The show might remind you of classic love stories like Somewhere in Time, but it’s much lighter and more fun, akin to NBC’s Timeless. With only eight episodes, it’s a quick series to get through.
Time Travel Mythology
The series offers a unique spin on time travel, blending portal fantasy with impossible love stories. The rich mythology, including mysterious keys and time-traveling rooms, keeps viewers on their toes. The Pera Palace Hotel setting, steeped in real literary history, adds another layer of fascination.
Love Story
The time travel rules make the romance between Esra and Halit even more compelling. For fans of redeemable bad boys and swoony moments, especially in the latter half of the series, this show delivers. While the first season doesn’t resolve their love story, there’s hope for resolution in the next season.
Overall Thoughts
Midnight at the Pera Palace is a fun, engaging watch that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It has comedic moments to balance the drama, and the actors do a commendable job in their roles. The costumes and production quality are appealing, adding to the show’s charm. If the romanticized view of Turkish history doesn’t bother you, you’ll find this series delightful.
Season 2 News
The series ends on a cliffhanger, but a second season is expected. Details on filming or release dates are unclear, partly due to the lead actress recently having a baby. However, the renewal seems likely.
Have you watched Midnight at the Pera Palace? Share your thoughts on the show!
