Debapriya Bhattacharya
Directed by Buket Alakus and Ngo The Chau, Netflix’s ‘She Said Maybe’ revolves around Mavi (Beritan Balci), a young Turkish woman raised by her mother in Hamburg, Germany. When her boyfriend, Can (Sinan Gülec), takes her away on a trip to Istanbul, Turkey, she discovers that she is a member of an affluent noble family in the country. Mavi’s domineering grandmother (Meral Perin) becomes obsessed with grooming her into an heiress and disapproves of her boyfriend, who wishes to propose to her. To sabotage the relationship and keep Mavi in Istanbul forever, she surrounds Mavi with luxury and temptations. The exotic locales where Mavi’s vacation takes her force her to truly ponder the promise of a new life ahead of her in the romantic drama.
She Said Maybe Filming Locations
Principal photography of ‘She Said Maybe’ took place in various locations in Turkey, while some additional scenes were captured in Germany. With the story being set in Turkey, filming on location helped ground the narrative. With its rich history, scenic landscape, and architectural diversity, Turkey has long been a favorite for filmmakers. There are locales to suit nearly every geographical variation as required for different projects, as well as well-developed infrastructure and skilled human resources to see the work through.
Istanbul, Turkey
The majority of the scenes in ‘She Said Maybe’ were captured in various locations in Istanbul, the cultural and financial hub of Turkey. The bustling city life and the amalgamation of classical and modern architecture make the city the perfect setting for Mavi’s royal experience. Geographically, the city of Istanbul connects the continents of Asia and Europe, which further adds to the vibrancy of its culture and heritage. The structure connecting the two continents is the Bosphorus Bridge, also known as the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, which is prominently featured in the movie. Among the key estates seen in the film is the Sait Halim Pasha Mansion, a seafront structure built under the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century. Situated at the heart of the Bosphorus, the wood and marble structure is used as a rental for lavish weddings, parties, and other events.
Numerous interior sequences with the Turkish royalty in the show were captured at the Çırağan Palace Kempinski. Located on the Bosphorus, it is a former Ottoman Imperial Palace that has been transformed into a luxury hotel. The presence of modern amenities allowed the place to seamlessly bring a modern, grandiose household to life. ‘She Said Maybe’ also had stunning backdrops provided by locales such as the Golden Horn, a natural inlet that is also the estuary for the rivers Alibey and Kağıthane. The fortifications, palaces, and bridges surrounding the inlet further enhance the beauty of the cityscape. The locale also bears historical significance as a natural harbor that was important for the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.
The city of Istanbul has been seen in a plethora of projects for both big and small screens. Films that were lensed in the area include ‘The Rebound,’ ‘Whisper If I Forget,’ ‘The Butterfly’s Dream,’ and ‘Blind Love,’ while series that fall under the same criteria are ‘Veliaht,’ ‘Another Love,’ ‘Love Is in the Air,’ ‘Brave and Beautiful,’ and many more.
Cappadocia, Istanbul
Situated over 450 miles away from Istanbul in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, the city of Cappadocia became the backdrop for some scenes in ‘She Said Maybe.’ The area is known for its unique pillar-like rock formations, known as fairy chimneys, that change colors based on the position of the sun in the sky. Hot air balloons are commonly seen rising from the ground. Both phenomena are represented in the film as Miva gets accustomed to the wonders that her native land holds. The city has served as the backdrop of films like ‘Passport to Love’ and ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ and shows such as ‘Reminder,’ ‘Kuma: The Other Wife,’ and ‘The Gift.’
Hamburg, Germany
Scenes that introduce Mavi and Can in ‘She Said Maybe’ are set in Hamburg, Germany. The port city in northern Germany is a melting pot of historic and contemporary architecture, with a bustling urban nightlife. This highlights the social surroundings that the characters are accustomed to prior to Mavi discovering her Turkish royal heritage. The city of Hamburg has been the chosen destination for shooting films like ‘In July,’ ‘The Story of My Wife,’ ‘Gloomy Sunday,’ and ‘Mostly Martha,’ as well as television shows like ‘Family Passions,’ ‘Unsere Hagenbecks,’ and ‘Zwei Münchner in Hamburg.’
Read More: Where Was The Naked Gun (2025) Filmed?
