The BBC has acquired the rights to air “The Turkish Detective,” a new crime thriller set in modern-day Istanbul. The series, which is based on Barbara Nadel’s award-winning novels, stars Haluk Bilginer, Ethan Kai, and Yasemin Kay Allen and will air on BBC Two later this year.
“The Turkish Detective” follows the story of Inspector Çetin İkmen (Bilginer), a chain-smoking, hard-drinking detective in the Istanbul police force, and his colleagues Mehmet Süleyman (Kai) and Detective Ayse Farsakoglu (Allen). The series depicts the trio as they navigate the vibrant and frenzied world of modern-day Turkey, with crimes rooted in the rich culture and history of Istanbul.
The series is an adaptation of Nadel’s 24 (or 25) Silver Dagger Award-winning novels, centred on the lead character Inspector Cetin Ikmen and his partner Mehmet Suleyman as they solve crimes. The first season will consist of eight episodes and is written by Ben Schiffer (“Skins”) and directed by Niels Arden Oplev (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”).
“The Turkish Detective” initially premiered on Paramount+ in Turkey in December 2023 and has now found a broadcaster in the UK with the BBC. The series is produced by Miramax and leading Turkish production company Ay Yapim, in association with Paramount’s international studio, VIS.
