If you think Turkish television is only romance, the crime genre will surprise you. Mafia families, undercover officers, revenge plots and street-level clans have been staples for years, and they are some of the most-watched series in the Middle East, the Balkans and beyond. They tend to share a recognizable style: slow, atmospheric build-ups, long speeches about honor, and violence that is dramatic rather than graphic.
Below are eight crime and mafia series, grouped by type of story. Most of them have a love story somewhere, but the plot is driven by loyalty, power and consequences. These series deal with violence and criminal themes, so they are for adult viewers. Episode counts refer to the original Turkish broadcast, and episodes generally run 100 to 150 minutes.
At a glance
| Series | Type | Episodes | Best for |
| Çukur | Neighborhood clan | 131 | Style and family loyalty |
| Grand Family | Mafia family epic | 199 | A very long saga |
| Ezel | Revenge | 71 | A tightly told revenge story |
| Poyraz Karayel | Undercover cop | 82 | Action and espionage |
| Insider | Undercover cop | Check series page | Brothers on opposite sides |
| Karadayı | Retro, family honor | 115 | 1970s atmosphere |
| Price of Passion | Romance and crime | 32 | A shorter crime-romance |
| Suskunlar | Legal thriller | 28 | A compact thriller |
Clans and mafia families
1. Çukur
2017 to 2021 · Show TV · 131 episodes over four seasons
The Koçovalı family rules the Çukur neighborhood in Istanbul, and the story follows Yamaç, who returns to take his place and defend the area, which has a rule against drugs. It was filmed in Balat, and its distinct visual identity, including the iconic tattoo emblem, helped it become a hit across the Arab world and the Balkans. Aras Bulut İynemli and Rıza Kocaoğlu are in the cast.
Why it works: it treats loyalty and family as the center of a crime story. Note that Turkey's broadcast regulator fined the broadcaster over its violence, so it is on the intense side.
2. Grand Family (Eşkıya Dünyaya Hükümdar Olmaz)
2015 to 2021 · ATV · 199 episodes over six seasons
The title means "A Bandit Cannot Rule the World," and the series follows the Çakırbeyli family and its leader Hızır across years of feuds and power struggles. Oktay Kaynarca and Deniz Çakır are in the cast. It was taken off air in October 2021 after a dispute between the broadcaster and the production.
Why it works: it is the biggest commitment here, and a good fit for viewers who want to live with a mafia family for a very long time. Do not start it if you want a quick watch.
3. Karadayı
2012 to 2015 · ATV · 115 episodes over three seasons
Set in 1970s Istanbul, Mahir Kara goes undercover as a trainee lawyer in order to free his father from a death sentence, and falls for the judge on his case. It won several Golden Butterfly awards and was nominated for an International Emmy in 2014. Kenan İmirzalıoğlu and Bergüzar Korel star.
Why it works: it is a crime story in a nostalgic setting, and its romance is closer to a classic melodrama.
Revenge and the undercover cop
4. Ezel
2009 to 2011 · Show TV and ATV · 71 episodes over two seasons
An adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo: Ömer is framed and imprisoned, then returns as Ezel to take his revenge on the people who betrayed him. It won the Golden Butterfly for Best Turkish Series in 2010, and it has been remade in countries including Mexico, Romania and India. Kenan İmirzalıoğlu, Cansu Dere and Yiğit Özşener lead.
Why it works: it is often cited as one of the best-plotted Turkish series, because the revenge structure keeps the story moving.
5. Poyraz Karayel
2015 to 2017 · Kanal D · 82 episodes over three seasons
A police officer goes undercover in the Umman mafia family and falls in love with the boss's daughter. İlker Kaleli and Burçin Terzioğlu star. A spin-off film followed the series.
Why it works: it adds action and spy-style plotting to the mafia setting, so it works for viewers who like a faster pace.
6. Insider (İçerde)
2016 to 2017 · Show TV
Sarp, a police academy graduate, goes undercover in the syndicate of Celal Karabaş and learns that his long-lost brother, Mert, is on the other side of the law. Çağatay Ulusoy, Aras Bulut İynemli and Çetin Tekindor are in the cast. DiziCentral reports that it became one of the most-watched Turkish dramas on YouTube.
Why it works: the brothers-on-opposite-sides premise gives it emotional weight beyond the crime plot. Episode counts differ between sources, so check the series page.
Shorter crime stories
7. Price of Passion (Siyah Beyaz Aşk)
2017 to 2018 · Kanal D · 32 episodes
A doctor becomes a witness to a crime and a man tied to a criminal network is made responsible for her safety. İbrahim Çelikkol and Birce Akalay star.
Why it works: it is the best choice for viewers who want crime with a strong romance and a moderate runtime.
8. Suskunlar
2012 · Show TV · 28 episodes over two seasons
A rising attorney finds his life threatened by childhood friends. Murat Yıldırım and Sarp Akkaya are in the cast.
Why it works: it is the most compact of the group and a good test of whether you like the genre.
Where to start
- A stylish, atmospheric first pick: Çukur.
- A shorter commitment: Price of Passion or Suskunlar.
- A plot-driven revenge story: Ezel.
- Action: Poyraz Karayel.
- A retro feel: Karadayı.
You can browse more on DiziCentral's crime and thriller pages, or the Best Series Ever collection. For help planning your time with a 100+ episode series, read how many seasons Turkish series have and why Turkish drama episodes are so long. If this is your first dizi, how to choose a Turkish series to watch will help.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Turkish mafia series?
Çukur is the most common recommendation for style and family loyalty, while Ezel is often named for its plot.
Are Turkish crime series very violent?
Some are, and Çukur was fined by the broadcast regulator over violence. Violence is generally dramatic rather than graphic, but these series are for adults.
Which crime series is the shortest?
Suskunlar has 28 episodes and Price of Passion has 32.
Is there a Turkish version of The Count of Monte Cristo?
Yes. Ezel is an adaptation of it and was remade in several other countries.
Do crime series have romance?
Most do. Price of Passion and Poyraz Karayel give romance a major role.
