Behzat Ç.: An Ankara Policeman

Set in Ankara, the series follows a police chief whose troubled past shadows his command and the team he leads. His squad is fractured and wary, constantly clashing as they chase weekly crimes and puzzling cases. The show keeps its attention on procedural work while hinting at a larger battle inside the police force and the political system that shapes it. As investigations pile up, Behzat C. confronts a network of bureaucrats and power players who can influence outcomes behind the scenes. The tone blends hard edged noir with brisk dialogue and a persistent undercurrent of social tension about authority and accountability.

Directed by Serdar Akar, the series draws on Emrah Serbes novels with an adaptation by Ercan Mehmet Erdem. It premiered in 2010 and carved out a distinct voice in Turkish crime drama, thanks to its brisk pacing and stark realism.

Over the years the show earned a reputation for gritty realism, crisp writing, and a willingness to probe corruption within the city's institutions. It helped redefine Turkish crime storytelling and sparked discussion about ethics in policing, political interference, and the human cost of fighting crime in a complex urban landscape.

Critics praised the depth of its characters and the moral ambiguity at the heart of its plots. Themes of loyalty, power, and responsibility under pressure sit alongside social critique, all anchored by an atmosphere that makes Ankara feel like a living character.