Alti Ustu Istanbul: Football, Dreams, and the Divided Streets of Istanbul

With global football fever at its peak during the ongoing FIFA World Cup, ATV is set to launch a powerful new summer drama that captures that same electric energy and passion for the beautiful game.Altı Üstü İstanbul, already drawing strong attention ahead of its debut, will premiere tomorrow, Monday, June 15. Produced by NTC Medya and directed by Müge Uğurlar, the series explores the sharp divide between suburban neighborhoods and the affluent elite, using football as both a cultural backdrop and an emotional engine.At its core, the story goes far beyond the pitch. It reflects the deep socioeconomic fractures of Istanbul—where ambition, survival, and inequality collide. The narrative follows Emir (Rahimcan Kapkap), a talented young man whose life revolves entirely around football, along with his close-knit group of friends from a working-class district.As these young dreamers chase their futures, their paths cross with a privileged world of luxury high-rises and hidden power structures. What begins as a shared love for football gradually transforms into a much harsher struggle shaped by money, influence, and betrayal. Every decision they make pushes them further into a world where loyalty is tested, relationships are redefined, and survival becomes the ultimate goal.Written by Yekta Torun and Hilal Yıldız, the screenplay paints a vivid portrait of Istanbul’s social divide, blending raw urban realism with intense emotional conflict. The series brings together a strong ensemble cast, featuring Rahimcan Kapkap as Emir, Feyyaz Duman as Tarık, Nehir Erdoğan as Zehra, İlker Aksum as Bayram, Elçin Zehra İrem as Naz, Berk Ali Çatal as Uzay, Kaan Çakır as Galip, Yüsra Geyik as Nihal, Öykü Gürman as Fahriye, and Cem Söküt as Şeker İbo.Altı Üstü İstanbul airs tomorrow on Mondays at 20:00 on ATV.