RTL stories - The podcast
”Authenticity is something that can be felt”

In the season-opening episode of RTL stories – The podcast, UFA Fiction’s Executive Producer and Head Writer Ceylan Yildirim reflects on representation, authentic storytelling and the global success of Maxton Hall.

For Ceylan Yildirim, storytelling has always been more than a profession – it’s a calling. From writing her first fairy tales as a child to shaping one of Prime Video’s most successful international series, her career has been driven by a deep belief in authenticity, emotional truth and the power of diverse perspectives.

In the opening episode of the 2026 season of RTL stories – The podcast, hosted by Lisa Burke, Ceylan looks back on her journey from children’s television at Babelsberg Studios to her current role at UFA Fiction. Early in her career on Schloss Einstein (Einstein Castle), she learned the importance of challenging stereotypes and advocating for more representative storytelling – lessons that still shape her work today.

Since joining UFA Fiction in 2020, she has continued to push creative boundaries, most notably as Executive Producer and Head Writer of Maxton Hall – The World Between Us, adapted from Mona Kasten’s bestselling young adult trilogy. The series’ global success has not only resonated with audiences worldwide but has also been recognised within the industry: Ceylan was recently honoured at the Kress Awards as one of the ‘Best TV Managers of the Year’, highlighting her impact on Germany’s television landscape.

Looking back on Maxton Hall becoming an international hit, Ceylan explains that commercial success cannot be engineered. “Authenticity is really the core approach that I always have,” she says. The series’ themes such as first love, identity, class divide and belonging resonate universally, she notes, whether viewers are experiencing them for the first time or looking back with nostalgia.

Looking ahead, Ceylan remains curious about the stories still waiting to be told. Her advice to emerging talent is simple but powerful: trust your intuition, don’t let mistakes hold you back and tell the stories that only you can tell.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation below!

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