A female team is filming a new TV series about the age-related crisis, friendship and love for life. Unlike «Sex and the City,» which explored the lives of Manhattan fashionistas, «Forever 29» is about young women from Almaty who try to meet society’s expectations — until one day, they decide to simply be themselves.
The TV series, already being called «the women’s melodrama of the year,» is produced by Freedom Media, a Kazakhstani streaming service, and Umai Production. Notably, the project is driven not just by ambitious ideas, but by personal experiences based on real women’s stories. Let’s break this idea down to better understand why this TV series could become a new cult hit for a generation searching for itself at 30.
An idea that grew from a sincere conversation
The plot was born over a cup of tea, in a conversation between three friends — Marzhan Khaidar, Aiymgul Orynbayeva and Laura Sabanbayeva as they shared stories from their peers about worries, fears and the feeling that no one ever taught them how to be adults. These open-hearted conversations became the foundation of the script.
«Each heroine is a composite image of ourselves, our mothers and our friends. We wanted the conversations that usually remain behind closed doors to be heard on screen,» the project’s creators said.
Plotwise, three former classmates reunite after a tragic event and set out to find a «wish capsule» they buried in their school years. Letters written by their younger selves become the catalyst for rethinking their lives — and maybe starting over.
The female team that’s changing the rules
This series is a rare case in which women fill all the key roles: not just the director, but also the producers, cinematographer and scriptwriters.
«It wasn’t a deliberate decision — it just turned out that the best specialists happened to be women,» says Raushan Sadyrbaeva, the project’s scriptwriter. Among them is camera operator Ainur Kazhkarimova, who handles heavy equipment just as well as any man, according to Marzhan, and production designer Aray Isayeva, who crafted an atmosphere that will definitely resonate with viewers.
For the creators, it’s not just about format — it’s also a message to the film industry and society at large.
«There are still very few female directors and cinematographers in the industry. We wanted to show that women can lead complex projects without being any less professional than men,» Raushan adds.
«You can be anyone — and that’s normal»
The central message of «Forever 29» is a rejection of stereotypes.
«We live in a society where girls are taught to be ‘convenient.’ We want to say: be yourself, even if that contradicts expectations,» says Marzhan.
Each heroine represents a different facet of womanhood: Aselya (Karina Kudekova) is an energetic adventurer who always saves others but forgets about herself; Madina (Altynshash Shayakhmetova) is a rational careerist who hides her vulnerability behind strict discipline; and Zhanchik (Gaukhar Beisembayeva) is a mother of three who dreams of hearing her own voice again.
«This isn’t about who’s better. It’s about the fact that many versions of ourselves live inside each of us. The series is a reminder: no matter how old you are, you can always rewrite your story,» explains Raushan.
Why are stories like this so rare?
As the scriptwriters recall, when the team read through the script for the first time, even male members of the team were moved.
«One female camera operator cried; another laughed, as if it was a joke about herself. That’s when we realized: this is what’s missing — women’s content that isn’t ashamed of emotions, but talks about real issues ranging from questions like ‘When are you getting married?’ to the search for life’s meaning,» says Marzhan.
Karina Kudekova adds that «Forever 29» isn’t about ideal women. It’s about those facing a crisis — and still holding onto their optimism.
What’s next?
Filming for «Forever 29» is shaping up to be a major event: the writers hint at unexpected plot twists, and the actresses say they’ve already deeply connected with their characters.
«I want my daughters to watch this series and know: they can be anything — and that’s completely normal,» says Marzhan.
The premiere is scheduled for spring 2026 on the Freedom Media platform.
«Unlike ‘Sex and the City’, which was about New York fashionistas, our series is about fragile but incredibly strong girls who find the courage to do what they never dared before. This isn’t just a TV series. It’s a love letter to all girls,» Marzhan concludes.
