Red Roses recently concluded yet another successful season in Turkey leading the Monday primetime for NOW TV. In a short Q&A session for CEETV, Izzet Pinto, CEO and Founder of Global Agency, talks about the strong appeal of the series to Turkish and international viewers with its modern and relevant themes for the fight for freedom and values.


Izzet, what’s the heart of the story of Red Roses? Can you give us an overview of it?

First of all, I would like to state that Red Roses is the most daring drama ever broadcast in Turkey. Although it begins as a story of conflicting religious and modern values, it ultimately reveals a deep and meaningful drama about the struggle between social norms and individual freedom.

The producer was drawn to the emotional core of the story: a young girl’s fight to study, torn between the chains of love and spreading her wings toward freedom, women's struggle for freedom and ultimately, a human being’s right to question and grow.

Red Roses tells the poignant tale of a woman, married off at 14 in an Islamic sect, and now battling bravely to prevent her gifted and talented daughter suffering the same fate as the bride of the sheikh’s grandson. At heart, it is a universal story that transcends religion to follow one woman’s battle against cultural oppression, exploring global themes of conflict between individual freedom and social norms and the rights of girls to education. Story shines a light on the conflict between faith and modernity, evident in many cultures across the world: the blossoming of individual identity, resistance among women and the awakening of children, especially girls, to the oppression they face.

The drama has attracted a lot of attention with its impressive script, strong acting performances and stunning production quality. It was also nominated in the best series category at the Seoul International Drama Awards and won Golden Butterfly Awards.


How do you believe the series connects with global audiences?

Red Roses is a story of dilemmas — deeply human and tragically universal ones. Around the world, we continue to witness girls being denied education, women being silenced, and entire generations shaped by fear, tradition and oppression. What makes this drama powerful is its emotional honesty. It doesn't lecture or take a didactic approach — it simply shows the reality fairly. We see how change begins quietly, within. We witness women waking up to their own voices, discovering strength in one another, and challenging the systems that bind them. This transformation doesn’t happen all at once. It doesn’t begin with a big rebellion or some dramatic turning point. On the contrary — it’s a quiet, deeply personal, and at times painful process. But it’s real. The characters slowly begin to open their eyes, reach out to one another, and grow stronger together.

Watching these women wake up, and seeing how they change as they support each other, is truly powerful. And as a viewer, you can’t help but be drawn into that journey. Because it’s not just their story — it reflects an awakening happening in many parts of the world. Feelings like solidarity, resilience, and hope are universal. And I believe that’s why Red Roses resonates with people everywhere."


What strategies is Global Agency using to remain one of the top exporters of Turkish dramas worldwide?

Global Agency is one of the world's strongest independent distribution companies, with content distribution as its sole and core business. We always continue to invest in our brand and maintain a strong position in the industry. Each year, we actively participate in around 20 major content markets, where we present bold, visually branded booths and hold tailored one-on-one pitch meetings.

Marketing is a key part of our strategy — we are well known for creative and bold campaigns that generate strong interest and visibility for our titles.

We maintain our position combining strong relationships, solid work ethics, professional management, and a flexible approach. We have a trusted, good relationship with our clients and producers because we’re flexible, known for being fair, honest, and easy to work with. We focus on being always quick and solution-oriented. While we are professionally structured, we stay flexible — a combination that helps us move fast in a fast-changing industry. Our financial strength lets us invest in great content and grow globally. We also create our own formats, which adds something unique to our catalogue and strengthens our position in the market.