The Turkish Detective is a BBC2 detective thriller starring former EastEnders star Haluk Bilginer as heavy-drinking, chain-smoking Inspector Çetin Ikmen, who investigates intriguing crimes in modern-day Istanbul.
Based on the award-winning novel series The Inspector Ikmen Mysteries by author Barbara Nadel, the series also stars Killing Eve’s Ethan Kai as Ikmen’s partner, Detective Mehmet Süleyman while The Usual Suspect’s Yasemin Kay Allen is Detective Ayşe Farsakoğlu.
Here’s everything we know about BBC drama The Turkish Detective…
The Turkish Detective release date
The Turkish Detective is an eight-part English/Turkish series that starts in the UK on Sunday 7 July 2024 on BBC2 from 9pm then the second episode is Monday 8 July at 9pm, with episode going out on Sunday and Mondays at the same time. The Turkish Detective is also on BBCiPlayer as a box set.
The Turkish Detective streamed on Paramount Plus in the US and other countries around the world in 2023.
Is there a trailer for The Turkish Detective?
Yes, you can watch The Turkish Detective trailer below. It shows the hard-nosed Inspector Ikmen investigating a murder in bustling Istanbul. “All I care about is justice for a life taken too soon,” he says. And we’re sure he’ll get it!
The Turkish Detective plot
The Turkish Detective follows Inspector Ikmen as he investigates crimes in Istanbul, all of which are heavily rooted in the culture and history of the city but are set against the frenzied backdrop of modern Turkey. He is helped by his colleagues Detective Mehmet Süleyman (Emmerdale star Ethan Kai) and Detective Ayşe Farsakoğlu (Strike Back star Yasemin Kay Allen).
The drama opens with the murder of 19-year-old student Godze Seren (Günes Sensoy), who has links to Istanbul’s wealthy elite. But as Ikmen and his sidekicks investigate, they soon unearth some of the city’s most dangerous secrets.
The Turkish Detective cast — Haluk Bilginer as Inspector Çetin Ikmen
Haluk Bilginer plays the rough and ready Inspector Çetin Ikmen who works in Istanbul. Fans of EastEnders back in the 1980s may remember Haluk as Mehmet Osman, the taxi firm owner who was the older brother of Walford regular Ali Osman. He's also starred in Buffalo Soldiers, W.E, Ben-Hur, Baba, Halloween and Alex Rider.
Ethan Kai as Detective Mehmet Süleyman
Ethan Kai plays Inpector Ikmen’s partner Mehmet Süleyman. Ethan previously played Tony in Killing Eve and Kasim Sabet in Emmerdale. He’s also had roles in Carnival Row, London Kills, Doctors and Mount Pleasant.
Yasemin Kay Allen on playing Detective Ayşe Farsakoğlu
Yasemin Kay Allen plays Inspector Ikmen’s colleague Ayşe Farsakoğlu. She previously played Zuhal in the TV series The Usual Suspects and has also been in Strike Back and the Turkish series Water and Fire, Merhamet and Hayat Devam Ediyor.
Yasemin, 34, who was born in London and raised in Istanbul, gave us her case notes in an interview…
What do you think sets this show apart from other detective dramas?
Yasemin Kay Allen says: "Aside from the fact that it’s set in Istanbul, there’s a real warmth at the heart of it. It’s a procedural story, so there are fun mysteries, but its underlying message is about hope, family and those we hold dear. It’s also refreshing for audiences to see an older law enforcement figure like Ikmen who isn't jaded by the things that he’s seen. He’s gruff and grizzled, but also a cheeky and playful family man, who still has a faith in humanity."
How would you describe the dynamic between Ayşe and Ikmen?
Yasemin Kay Allen says: "She’s his No.1 sidekick. They have a very wholesome relationship in that he’s like a father figure to her. She comes from a difficult background and he’s really opened his arms to her, both personally and professionally. Ayşe’s a little go-getter. She loves being given a job to do and to feel useful.
The drama revolves around the murder of a young student. What can you reveal about the investigation?
Yasemin Kay Allen says: "It marks the starting point for Ayşe and Mehmet’s complicated working relationship. He arrives in Istanbul from the Metropolitan Police in London and she reacts territorially at first. There’s a sort of sibling rivalry and a bit of bickering between them during the investigation. I think she has a chip on her shoulder because of the masculine environment that she works in. But, over the course of the series, she has to learn to be more flexible.
Episode one features a thrilling motorbike chase through a souk. Do you have any action sequences later in the series?
Yasemin Kay Allen says: "Yes, a couple! I have a fight scene at the end that we spent ages choreographing. But it started raining halfway through filming, so we had to do it all over again! I love action roles, though, and I’m more than happy to be rolling around and working with a stunt double. The hardest part of filming was actually the episodes we shot in August [2022]. It was so hot! I coped with mini handheld fans and a lot of complaining!
Emmy-winning actor Haluk Bilginer, who plays Ikmen, is one of the most famous film and TV stars in Turkey. How did you find working with him?
Yasemin Kay Allen says: "He’s actually a family friend, but I’d never worked with him before. Aside from how good he is at his craft, he’s also a prime example of how to be on set. He’s such a gentleman and so funny, and he just keeps the mood up. Whenever he steps on set, there’s a sort of a glow about him!"
What was it like filming a drama like this in your home city of Istanbul?
Yasemin Kay Allen says: "I’m not going to preach about the power of manifestation or anything like that, but I remember openly saying to my mother how much I’d love to shoot a detective series here in Turkey. So it’s nothing less than a dream come true. It’s an incredible city to have as a backdrop, and for it to be represented so beautifully is a matter of immense pride for me."
Who else is starring?
Other cast inThe Turkish Detective as Erol Afsin, Uygar Tamer, Fatih Al, Murat Seven and Dilan Gwyn.
Behind the scenes and more on The Turkish Detective
The Turkish Detective was acquired by the BBC from Paramount Global Content Distribution and is produced by Turkish production company Ay Yapim. The Turkish Detective is written and executive produced by Ben Schiffer (Skins) and directed by Niels Arden Oplev (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) who also executive produces. Executive Producers for the series also include Kerem Çatay and Claire Sowerby-Sheppard. The Turkish Detective will launch later this year on BBC iPlayer and TV channels.
Ben Schiffer, writer & executive producer, says: "From the moment I opened Barbara Nadel's novel, I fell in love with the unique, iconic character of Inspector Ikmen. A beacon of hope and humour in a dark, difficult world, I'm so delighted that he and our show, a blend of emotionally-charged mystery and family drama, has found a home at the BBC."
Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition, says: “Not only does The Turkish Detective provide a compelling, multi-layered crime thriller, but is set in stunning Istanbul, a vibrant contemporary city that also reflects the cultural influences of a rich and varied historical past – it’s a truly fascinating combination.”
