Mezarlık is a television series that follows the activities of the Special Crimes Unit established in Istanbul. The narrative centers on Chief Inspector Önem Özülkü and her team, who investigate cases of femicide. In addition to depicting the process of solving these crimes, the series addresses broader social themes such as prejudice, gender inequality, violence against women, and shortcomings within the justice system.

Seasons and Episode Contents

1st Season (2022)

The first season of Mezarlık consists of four episodes and focuses on the establishment of the Special Crimes Unit and the difficulties encountered during its formation. Across the season, the unit investigates a series of femicide cases, while the narrative also incorporates themes of social prejudice and gender inequality. Each episode presents a separate case, exploring both the social and individual factors underlying the murders of women.

• "Hotter Than the Sun"
• "As Close as a Breath"
• "The Woman in the Lake"
• "The Knot"

2nd Season (2025)

In its eight-episode season, Mezarlık expands its scope to include cold cases that had previously remained unsolved. Alongside newly committed crimes, the Special Crimes Unit reopens investigations into long-standing cases that were never resolved. The narrative follows Chief Inspector Önem and her team as they pursue perpetrators while also contending with their own personal challenges. This season introduces a darker and more complex storyline compared to earlier episodes.

• "Mute Devil Part 1-2"
• "Belladonna Part 1-2"
• "Hayırsız Ada (Island of the Unlucky) Part 1-2"
• "Nostos Algos Part 1-2"

Cast

Birce Akalay (Chief Inspector Önem Özülkü) takes the lead role in the series, while experienced actors such as Olgun Toker (Inspector Serdar Ata), Şehsuvar Aktaş (Police Officer Hasan Duru), Hakan Meriçliler (Deputy Security Director Haluk Ata), Sezgin Uzunbekiroğlu (Forensic Expert Feriha Mahmudzade), and Cem Sürgit (Prosecutor Gökhan Demirdelen) are also in the cast.

Production Team and Broadcast Information

Mezarlık is directed by Abdullah Oğuz, with the screenplay written by Onur Böber, Özden Uçar, and Evren Oğuz. The production is undertaken by Abdullah Oğuz and Evren Oğuz as a co-production of ANS Productions and Evrensel Film. The series is released as a Netflix original and is available exclusively on the Netflix streaming platform.

While structured as a crime drama, Mezarlık extends beyond the conventions of the genre. The narrative framework centers on investigations into femicide cases, but the series also highlights broader social issues. In doing so, it draws attention to systemic shortcomings within the judicial process, as well as to social prejudices and patterns of gender inequality. By embedding these themes into its episodic investigations, the production approaches crime storytelling not only as entertainment but also as a medium through which viewers may engage with ongoing debates about violence against women and the functioning of the justice system in society.