Siyah Bere: New Turkish Military Drama Series on Tank Warfare

Siyah Bere, a Turkish military drama series that follows a tank crew’s perilous mission during the fictional Brave Banner Operation starring İlhan Şen and Özge Gürel.

Siyah Bere (translated as Black Beret) is a groundbreaking Turkish military action-drama series that premiered on May 15, 2025, on the streaming platform Tabii. Produced by CNP Film and directed by Yağız Alp Akaydın, with a script penned by Barış Erdoğan, the series stars İlhan Şen and Özge Gürel in leading roles.

Plot Overview

Set against the backdrop of the fictional “Cesur Sancak Harekâtı” (Brave Banner Operation), Siyah Bere follows a Turkish tank crew—Volkan, Mehmet, Ersoy, and Yunus—on a perilous mission. Their return path is obstructed when a critical bridge is destroyed, isolating them from allied forces and compelling them to navigate hostile territory alone.

Cast and Characters

• İlhan Şen as Staff Sergeant Volkan Demirci
• Özge Gürel as Psychologist Nilgün Esen
• Saygın Soysal as Ferzan
• Erkan Sever as Specialist Sergeant Mehmet Cihangir
• Doğukan Polat as Specialist Sergeant Ersoy Alptekin
• Seyit Nizam Yılmaz as Corporal Yunus Soydan
• Osman Albayrak as Lieutenant Colonel Enver Karaalp
• Açelya Devrim Yılhan as Zehra Cihangir
• Yiğit Yalkın as Şiyar
• Çınar Yükçeker as Özgür Cihangir
• Kaya Akkaya as Fatih
• Barış Demirbağ as Captain Hakan
• Hüseyin Soysalan as Haydar.

Production Details

Filming took place in the İslahiye district of Gaziantep, Turkey, providing an authentic setting that enhances the series’ realism. The production utilised actual military equipment, including the M60T tank, T-129 Atak helicopters, Kirpi armoured vehicles, and Sikorsky helicopters, to depict the intense combat scenarios.

Episode Guide

The first season comprises 10 episodes, all released simultaneously on May 15, 2025:

1. Demir Adam (Iron Man)
2. Pusu (Ambush)
3. Köprü (Bridge)
4. Aydaki Adam (Man on the Moon)
5. Düello (Duel)
6. Benzinlik (Gas Station)
7. Siyah Bere (Black Beret)
8. Tanışma (Meeting)
9. Tuzak (Trap)
10. Yürüyen Palet Zafere Gider (The Moving Track Leads to Victory).

Themes and Reception

Siyah Bere delves into themes of camaraderie, resilience, and the psychological impacts of warfare. The series has been noted for its realistic portrayal of military operations and the emotional depth of its characters. The inclusion of a romantic subplot between a soldier and a psychologist adds a humanising element to the narrative.

Viewing Information

All episodes of Siyah Bere are available for streaming exclusively on Tabii. The series has garnered attention for its unique focus on tank warfare, a first in Turkish television, and its high production values.