ALBAWABA - Fans question casting as Abi stars Kenan İmirzalioğlu and Afra Saraçoğlu massive 24-year difference.
The new ATV series Abi has not even started filming yet, but it is already one of the most talked-about projects of the season. The reason? The surprising 24-year age gap between its two lead actors, Kenan İmirzalioğlu and Afra Saraçoğlu.
İmirzalioğlu, now 50, will play Cerrah Doğan Hancıoğlu, a man who left his family years ago to build his own life in another city. He returns to Istanbul for his sister’s wedding, and that night, everything changes. At the center of those changes is Çağla, played by Afra Saraçoğlu, who is only 26 years old.
Çağla is a young lawyer just starting her career. She applies for a job at the family’s company and quickly crosses paths with Doğan. Their meeting is the beginning of events that will shake both of their lives.
But what has caught the attention of fans and critics is not just the story. It is the huge age difference between the actors playing the leads. On social media, many viewers have raised concerns. Some feel the casting is unrealistic and uncomfortable, especially if the storyline hints at romance.
Others argue the difference is intentional. Since Çağla is written as a lawyer at the very start of her career, her youth makes sense. And insiders say the series may not even focus on a long-term love story between Doğan and Çağla. Instead, the relationship could be more about disruption, change, and how her presence alters Doğan’s life path.
Still, the pairing has fueled debate about Turkish dramas and their frequent casting of much younger women opposite older male leads. Some see it as a recurring problem, while others think it adds drama and realism to the story.
Kenan İmirzalioğlu & Afra Saraçoğlu Instagram profile
Afra Saraçoğlu had reportedly planned to take a break from mainstream TV after finishing Pera for Disney+. But the actress changed her mind and agreed to join Abi. With Kenan İmirzalioğlu’s star power and Saraçoğlu’s rising fame, Abi is guaranteed attention—whether for its story or its controversial age gap.
