Desperate Housewives (Umutsuz Ev Kadınları)

Desperate Housewives (Umutsuz Ev Kadınları) (translated)

TV Series · 2011–2014 · 27 people

The American series Desperate Housewives was adapted into Umutsuz Ev Kadınları, a Turkish comedy-drama. Produced by Medyapım together with ABC Studios, it premiered on Kanal D on October 2, 2011, and concluded with its 154th episode on June 19, 2014. It follows neighboring women living on the same estate and the secrets hidden behind their marriages and families, told with a humorous touch.

The leads are Bennu Yıldırımlar, Songül Öden, Ceyda Düvenci, Özge Özder and Deniz Uğur. Melda Arat, who played Handan, left during the first season, and Deniz Uğur joined to replace Evrim Solmaz. The third season brought in Erkan Bektaş and Rüzgar Aksoy, with Hakan Eratik (as Sarp) arriving in episode 135 and Didem Taslan (as Neşe) in episode 137.

The broadcast history is notable too. The second season began on October 11, 2012, but moving it from Sunday to Thursday pushed ratings down. The show stayed on Kanal D until episode 54, then signed with FOX and continued there from episode 55 on March 16, 2013, airing on weekend evenings at 7:45 pm in 60-minute episodes instead of 90. It climbed into the ratings top three. In Serbia it aired on Prva as Domaćice sa Bosfora.

Production companyMed Yapım
NetworkKanal D

Reactions

You can pick up to 3 reactions.

Cast

Through different eyes

Series Binger A series devotee tracking character arcs, cast chemistry and season pacing.

Adapted from the American Desperate Housewives, this production tells, with humor, of the secrets behind the marriages of neighboring women on the same estate. The cast of Bennu Yıldırımlar, Songül Öden, Ceyda Düvenci, Özge Özder and Deniz Uğur is the real engine. Across 154 episodes it went through plenty of cast changes and channel moves: Kanal D to FOX, and episodes shortened from 90 minutes to 60. Despite such a bumpy broadcast life, bringing viewers into the top three is commendable. The second season, moved from Sunday to Thursday, lost ratings; even so, the secrets keep you curious.

Family Viewer Asks whether the whole household can watch it; cares about humor and heart.

This is not a series to watch with children. The secrets behind marriages, the neighbors' world and mature themes are aimed more at adults. The comedy tone is light, but the subjects belong to the grown-ups' world. Parents can watch it once the children are in bed. Its 60-minute weekend-evening episodes on FOX may have made it easy to follow. It may also be a bit much for grandparents, so do not expect it to be a shared favorite for the whole family.

Cinephile Looks at script, editing and directing choices; keeps a distance from formula films.

The question with adaptations is always whether the show has a voice of its own. Umutsuz Ev Kadınları carries over the American source's structure of neighbors and secrets, and that sets a limit on originality. Because the story scaffolding arrived ready-made, the script's surprises hang on a borrowed frame. On the other hand, the cast adds local color and the dose of comedy is balanced. Cutting the running time from 90 to 60 minutes may have tightened the storytelling, and surviving cast changes across 154 episodes suggests its world does not depend on a single character. It never quite leaves the shadow of the original, but it is a respectable attempt at adaptation.

These are not reader reviews: they are short editorial takes written from different viewer perspectives with AI assistance. Reader reviews are below.

Reviews (0)

Log in Log in to write a review.

Comments