Behzat Ç. An Ankara Crime Drama (Series)

Behzat Ç.: An Ankara Crime Drama is one of Turkish television’s most iconic crime dramas, adapted from the works of Emrah Serbes (particularly Her Temas İz Bırakır and Son Hafriyat). The first episode aired on Star TV on 19 September 2010 and, following widespread acclaim, was adapted into feature films with subsequent sequels produced.

Plot

Behzat Ç. is a police officer working in Ankara’s Homicide Bureau who acts according to his conscience rather than strict adherence to rules. He investigates numerous complex murder cases, beginning with the mysterious death of his daughter. Throughout the series, he struggles with professional and personal challenges alike.

Characters and Cast

• Behzat Ç. – Erdal Beşikçioğlu: The unconventional chief inspector who follows his conscience.
• Harun (Tosun Paşa) – Fatih Artman: Behzat’s loyal assistant and trusted team member.
• Ghost (Sabri) – İnanç Konukçu: A skilled detective specializing in intelligence.
• Akbaba (İsmet) – Berkan Şal: The silent but highly effective member of the Homicide Unit.
• Prosecutor Esra – Canan Ergüder: Behzat’s love interest and legal partner on cases.
• Ercüment Çözer – Nejat İşler: A powerful figure in the criminal underworld and one of Behzat’s main adversaries.
• Eda – Seda Bakan: The female inspector in the Homicide Unit.
• Şule – Ayça Eren: A character later revealed to be Behzat’s biological daughter.

Other characters featured in the series include Cevdet (Berke Üzrek), Selim (Hakan Hatipoğlu), Emre (Engin Öztürk), and Şevket (Ege Aydan).

Production and Locations

The series was filmed primarily in Ankara. Scenes set in neighborhoods such as Gazi, Sakarya Street, Eymir Lake, and Gençlik Park helped establish a strong association between the show and the city. Serdar Akar served as director.

Cinema Adaptations

The series was adapted for the big screen:

• Behzat Ç.: I Buried You in My Heart (2011): Earned Erdal Beşikçioğlu the Best Actor Award at the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival.
• Behzat Ç.: Ankara Is Burning (2013): A wide-ranging film involving the Turkish Minister of Interior, the German Consulate, and multiple interconnected murders.

Cultural Impact and Criticism

The series stood out from conventional crime dramas with its darker, more character-driven narrative. Its portrayal of Ankara as almost a central character gave it a unique status. Lines such as “Run, aga, there’s a murder!” became unforgettable to a broad audience. Certain scenes and themes sparked public debate, particularly due to its blunt language and systemic criticism.

Sequels and Spin-offs

Years later, the series was revived on the BluTV platform. Additionally, a spin-off project titled Saygı, centered on the character Ercüment Çözer, was developed.