The Turkish Detective episode 1 cast: Who stars in the BBC drama?

The Turkish Detective is on its way with familiar faces from the worlds of EastEnders and Killing Eve.

Based on the award-winning novel series The Inspector Ikmen Mysteries by Barbara Nadel, The Turkish Detective will premiere on Sunday, July 7, at 9pm on BBC Two.

The eight-part series will see Inspector Cetin Ikmen (played by Haluk Bilginer) investigate crimes throughout Istanbul which are heavily rooted in the city’s history and culture.

Who is in the cast of The Turkish Detective?

Inspector Cetin Ikmen - Haluk Bilginer

At the heart of The Turkish Detective is Inspector Cetin Ikmen, who is a heavy drinker and chain smoker but knows just how to do his job when it comes to protecting his home of Istanbul.

Inspector Ikmen is played by actor Haluk Bilginer who may be recognised by EastEnders fans as Mehmet Osman, the taxi firm owner and older brother to Ali Osman in the 1980s.

Some of his other notable roles since then have been in Halloween, Alex Rider, Ezel, Baba and Buffalo Soldiers.

Detective Mehmet Suleyman - Ethan Kai

Detective Mehmet Suleyman is the newbie in town who finds himself working under Inspector Ikmen but how will he take to his eccentric new boss?

Actor Ethan Kai has been in Carnival Row, Mount Pleasant and London Kills but is probably best known for playing Tony in Killing Eve and Kasim Sabet, Finn Barton’s ex-boyfriend in Emmerdale.

Detective Ayse Farsakoglu - Yasemin Kay Allen

Upon Mehmet’s arrival, Detective Ayse Farsakoglu is already by Inspector Ikmen’s side so knows all too well how to handle him and shows her new colleague the way.

Actress Yasemin Kay Allen has appeared in Strike Back and played Zuhal in the show The Usual Suspects.

Some of her other work has been in Turkish television shows such as Hayat Devam Ediyor, Water And Fire and Merhamet.

Tarik Sanver - Erol Afsin

Actor Erol Afsin was behind Utku in the award-winning drama Homeland with Claire Danes, and popped up in other shows like Saf, Mustang, as well as in German series like SOKO Potsdam and Tatort.

He is behind a character called Tarik Sanver but as of yet, details on his character have remained few and far between.

Fatma Ikmen - Uygar Tamer 

Afsin is joined by actress Uygar Tamer who has had roles in The Teachers’ Lounge and Quantum of Solace.

She plays Fatma Ikmen who is believed to be a relation of the Inspector, given their shared surname.

Other cast members include:

Leyla Pamuk - Dilan Gwyn

Abdel Zahle - Murat Seven

Selma Payidar - Selma Ergec

The Turkish Detective premieres on Sunday, July 7, on BBC Two at 9pm.