Netflix’s ‘Not a Stranger’ Thrills Audiences Worldwide with Impressive Numbers
Netflix has positioned Turkish storytelling as a key element of its global strategy. The platform’s 2026 Turkish slate continues to grow, with notable successes like ‘Old Money’, which quickly secured a second season. Now, a new thriller from Istanbul is aiming to join that successful roster.
The series introduces a familiar fear with a fresh perspective. A new mother, eager to return to her career, hires a nanny, only to find that the seemingly perfect help brings hidden tensions into her home. MovieWeb likens it to a modern twist on ‘The Hand That Rocks the Cradle’, the 1992 thriller featuring an unhinged nanny who disrupts a loving family.
The show, titled ‘Not a Stranger’, is rapidly becoming one of Netflix’s most unexpected hits this season. It has made its way into Netflix’s top 10 lists globally, experiencing a remarkable 110% increase in viewing hours during its second week. The outlet has highlighted it as one of the most significant series launches from the region.
The rollout began with a strong start. Released on September 17, it entered the Top 10 in 62 countries. In its first full week, it secured the No. 2 spot on the Non-English TV chart, accumulating 4.6 million views and 31.1 million hours watched.
The series then gained even more traction. For the week of September 21 to 27, Netflix’s data ranked it No. 1 on the Non-English TV list, with 9.7 million views and 65.7 million hours viewed. This surge pushed ‘The Perfect Lie’, the previous No. 1, down to sixth place, totaling 14.3 million views over two weeks.
What’s on Netflix provides context for these impressive numbers. According to What’s on Netflix, the week 2 increase makes ‘Not a Stranger’ the most-watched Turkish series released on a Thursday since 2022. It is also performing admirably compared to ‘Old Money’, which has been one of the most significant titles from the region recently.
The analysis indicates that such growth is rare. For instance, ‘Thank You, Next’ season 1 only increased from 3.6 million views in its first week to 5.1 million in the second. Doubling viewership in the second week is uncommon, as most shows typically see a decline after their opening weekend.
The momentum is evident in specific markets as well. The series holds the No. 1 spot on Netflix’s list of the most popular shows in Türkiye and has climbed to No. 4 on the Top 10 TV shows chart in the United States.
At the heart of the story is Funda, portrayed by Elçin Sangu, an artist and new mother eager to return to her painting career. She hires Nazlı, played by Melis Sezen, to care for her daughter Mavi. Ozan Dolunay plays İlker, Funda’s husband, and the nanny’s arrival soon alters their lives.
Directed by Mert Baykal, known for ‘Fi’, and written and created by Tuğba Doğan, the series presents an original story rather than an adaptation, meaning there’s no novel ending for fans to anticipate. Produced by Bombon Studios, each of the eight episodes runs approximately 50 minutes.
Trust and uncertainty run through the trailer for Not a Stranger. Watch the preview with TV Central. #TVCentral #TVCentralClip pic.twitter.com/Xh25CQY4za
— TV Central (@tvcentral_au) September 24, 2026
The viewing figures indicate that the story resonates well with audiences. The domestic setting, the trust issues surrounding childcare, and the gradual revelation of secrets provide a premise that translates easily across cultures. This likely contributes to its successful international reception.
As of September 26, there has been no announcement regarding a renewal from Netflix, and the title page currently lists only the first season. If the second-week surge is any indication, it may not be a question of whether Netflix will want more, but rather how soon they will act.
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments.