And While Sandokan Lands in the U.S. and Demet Is Set to Arrive in Italy, Rumors Emerge From Turkey: Can and Demet Will Be Back on Set Together

Can Yaman and his Sandokan appear to have won their bet. The Turkish actor, who left his home country five years ago to move to Italy specifically to portray the legendary Tiger of Malaysia, now has every reason to celebrate. Beyond winning over Rai 1’s broad television audience, his character is about to cross the ocean and reach viewers overseas. After drawing impressive ratings in Italy, the record-breaking series is set to become available on netflix starting in January across Latin America, the United States, and Canada, as well as in Europe, including the United Kingdom.

This marks a major seal of approval and success for production company Lux Vide, for Rai, for the writers who tailored a character perfectly suited to Yaman’s qualities—clearly different from the one portrayed by Kabir Bedi—and for the Turkish actor himself, who delivered a strong performance as the legendary character created by Emilio Salgari. It is the success of a carefully crafted production in every detail, beginning with the cast, which also includes standout performances by Alessandro Preziosi as Yanez, whom he brought to life with exceptional depth; Alanah Bloor, flawless in her debut as Marianna; and Ed Westwick as Lord Brooke, a ruthless pirate hunter driven as much by violence as by a desire to love.

Rumors From Turkey: Can Yaman Back on Set With Demet Özdemir?

While Can Yaman is currently in Spain filming the romantic thriller Il labirinto delle farfalle, before returning to Calabria to shoot the new season of Sandokan, rumors are emerging from Turkey—traditionally somewhat lukewarm toward the actor’s international success—about another possible project involving Can, this time alongside Demet Özdemir.

If confirmed, the news would reunite the two actors who starred together in the hit series DayDreamer, a true TV cult that fueled tabloid speculation for quite some time about a passionate romance allegedly extending beyond the screen. According to gossip, that passion supposedly turned into a secret relationship lasting nearly two years, kept hidden by the actors themselves and their managers so it wouldn’t overshadow their professional paths. The alleged love story is said to have ended when Can Yaman decided to move to Italy.

None of this was ever verified. The two actors have always described each other as good colleagues and friends. Shortly afterward, Demet officially announced her engagement to Oğuzhan Koç, whom she married in 2022 before divorcing the following year. The rumors of a reunion on set seem to reflect more a fan wish than a concrete project—especially since no title, format, or timeline is known.

Demet Set to Star in an Italian Production Soon

It is now certain that both Can Yaman and Demet Özdemir will be involved in new productions in the coming months. While Can will be busy filming Sandokan, the Turkish actress will be among the leads in the remake of a major 1960s classic. Starting in spring, she will spend nine weeks on set, filming across Lombardy, Tuscany, and Wales. 

Demet will play an influential woman who helps one of the protagonists advance his career, becoming his point of reference and close friend—until she eventually reveals that she has fallen in love with him. The seven-episode series is expected to air in early 2027. Alongside Demet Özdemir, the cast will include three well-known Italian actors as well as several international names.