Ezel (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Ezel is a Turkish
crime drama TV series that was initially broadcasted by Show TV
in autumn 2009. In 2010, it was transferred to ATV. It has since gained a considerably large fan base in Turkey
. Although it is set in modern day Istanbul
, Turkey
, filming also took place in Bafra
, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
and Dubrovnik
, Croatia
.
, Ömer Uçar (Ismail Filiz) and his family lived a comfortable lower middle-class life, until one day his life was changed forever. Ömer had two best friends that he had known for years, Ali and Cengiz. Ömer worked with Ali (Barış Falay) as a motor mechanic, and Cengiz (Yiğit Özşener
) when Ömer met and fell in love with Eyşan (Cansu Dere
). Ali and Cengiz soon become convinced by Serdar Tezcan (Salih Kalyon), who is also Eyşan's father, to rob a casino
. Serdar devises the whole scheme, and figures that it would require four people to pull off a successful robbery. Cengiz was up first in the plot to rob the casino, he was the mole and was working there in order to gain access. Ali, comes into play next as the ruthless killer on the night of the robbery. The third accomplice is Eyşan (Cansu Dere) the skilled con-woman who manipulates men for their money as a career and this time her victim would be Ömer. In Serdar's plan, Ömer would be the fourth person to complete the job. Ömer is blamed for the robbery by way of implanting false evidence, misleading the police and ceasing all other investigations on the matter. Ali and Cengiz at the time believed that Ömer would only get a few years in jail
for stealing the money, however the robbery went wrong and Ali had to shoot and kill the security guard. The same gun that was used in the robbery was pointed at Ömer by Cengiz just a few days before the crime. After having to many drinks, Cengiz in a drunken state and wearing gloves pointed the gun at Ömer, after which he manages to take the gun away from Cengiz only to leave his prints on the gun and sealing his fate. Further evidence to implicate Ömer to the crime was a jacket
that he had previously worn which was also dumped with the gun ensuring the police
a swift arrest.
Eyşan would later testify in court in order to re-establish the evidence and accusations, cementing her betrayal. The plan worked successfully and all the while Ali, Cengiz, Serdar and Eyşan got away with murder and millions of dollars. Ömer went to jail for the crime he didn't commit the day after he proposed to Eyşan. During his incarceration, Ömer had some very hard times, being beaten almost daily by the chief prison warden who was convinced that Ömer had indeed committed the crime, and wanted to know the exact whereabouts of the money. His family was even threatened, and so his hatred for his old friends grew for what they had done to him. Ömer's only luck was to be taken under the wing of Ramiz Karaeski (referred to as Uncle Ramiz, played by Tuncel Kurtiz
), once a powerful mafia
type figure who treated Ömer like one of his sons and offered him some protection while imprisoned. In 2006, Ömer, had his face badly cut by the chief warden with two other guards by using a riot
in the prison as an excuse to beat Ömer, so he would tell where the money was. Ömer pretended to tell him, so that when the warden dismissed the other guards, a fight to the death mean't the head warden was killed. With help from Ramiz, it was made known that Ömer had died but his face was unrecognisable, when actually Ömer escaped the jail and had full plastic surgery
. Ömer Uçar then changed his name to Ezel Bayraktar (meaning "eternity" in Turkish
), played by Kenan İmirzalıoğlu
), and returns to get his revenge, unknown to his previous friends, Eyşan and Cengiz (who are now married and have a son), and Ali (who is head of security at Cengiz's hotel
) The once simple boy becomes a man exceptionally skilled at gambling
, reading people, fighting, and has considerably high class in society. He is helped by his assistants Kamil (Güray Kip) and Sebnem (Bade İşçil), as well as his prison mentor Ramiz Karaeski.
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
crime drama TV series that was initially broadcasted by Show TV
Show TV
SHOW TV is a nation-wide television channel in Turkey owned by Çukurova Holding. The channel was established by the Turkish businessmen Erol Aksoy and Haldun Simavi on March 1, 1992. During the last years, Show TV extended its range of viewers by adding more channels like Show Plus, Show Max and...
in autumn 2009. In 2010, it was transferred to ATV. It has since gained a considerably large fan base in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. Although it is set in modern day Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, filming also took place in Bafra
Vokolida
Vokolida is a village in the Famagusta District of Cyprus, located on the Karpas Peninsula....
, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Northern Cyprus or North Cyprus , officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus , is a self-declared state that comprises the northeastern part of the island of Cyprus...
and Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, positioned at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its total population is 42,641...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
.
Plot
In 1997 IstanbulIstanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, Ömer Uçar (Ismail Filiz) and his family lived a comfortable lower middle-class life, until one day his life was changed forever. Ömer had two best friends that he had known for years, Ali and Cengiz. Ömer worked with Ali (Barış Falay) as a motor mechanic, and Cengiz (Yiğit Özşener
Yiğit Özşener
- Biography :Özşener graduated from Yıldız Technical University with a degree in Electornics and Communications Engineering in 1996. Özşener who had began studying acting at the Şahika Tekand acting studio, began acting there in various play, including Harold Pinter's The Dumb Waiter which was...
) when Ömer met and fell in love with Eyşan (Cansu Dere
Cansu Dere
Cansu Dere is a Turkish film actress, beauty pageant contestant, and model.-Biography:Having received her primary and secondary education in Izmir, Dere graduated from the department of Archaeology at İstanbul University.She has starred in TV and movies since 2004...
). Ali and Cengiz soon become convinced by Serdar Tezcan (Salih Kalyon), who is also Eyşan's father, to rob a casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
. Serdar devises the whole scheme, and figures that it would require four people to pull off a successful robbery. Cengiz was up first in the plot to rob the casino, he was the mole and was working there in order to gain access. Ali, comes into play next as the ruthless killer on the night of the robbery. The third accomplice is Eyşan (Cansu Dere) the skilled con-woman who manipulates men for their money as a career and this time her victim would be Ömer. In Serdar's plan, Ömer would be the fourth person to complete the job. Ömer is blamed for the robbery by way of implanting false evidence, misleading the police and ceasing all other investigations on the matter. Ali and Cengiz at the time believed that Ömer would only get a few years in jail
Jail
A jail is a short-term detention facility in the United States and Canada.Jail may also refer to:In entertainment:*Jail , a 1966 Malayalam movie*Jail , a 2009 Bollywood movie...
for stealing the money, however the robbery went wrong and Ali had to shoot and kill the security guard. The same gun that was used in the robbery was pointed at Ömer by Cengiz just a few days before the crime. After having to many drinks, Cengiz in a drunken state and wearing gloves pointed the gun at Ömer, after which he manages to take the gun away from Cengiz only to leave his prints on the gun and sealing his fate. Further evidence to implicate Ömer to the crime was a jacket
Jacket
A jacket is a hip- or waist-length garment for the upper body. A jacket typically has sleeves, and fastens in the front. A jacket is generally lighter, tighter-fitting, and less insulating than a coat, which is outerwear...
that he had previously worn which was also dumped with the gun ensuring the police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
a swift arrest.
Eyşan would later testify in court in order to re-establish the evidence and accusations, cementing her betrayal. The plan worked successfully and all the while Ali, Cengiz, Serdar and Eyşan got away with murder and millions of dollars. Ömer went to jail for the crime he didn't commit the day after he proposed to Eyşan. During his incarceration, Ömer had some very hard times, being beaten almost daily by the chief prison warden who was convinced that Ömer had indeed committed the crime, and wanted to know the exact whereabouts of the money. His family was even threatened, and so his hatred for his old friends grew for what they had done to him. Ömer's only luck was to be taken under the wing of Ramiz Karaeski (referred to as Uncle Ramiz, played by Tuncel Kurtiz
Tuncel Kurtiz
Tuncel Kurtiz is a Turkish theatre, movie and TV series actor, playwright and film director. Since 1964, he has acted in more than 70 movies, including many international productions.- Biography :...
), once a powerful mafia
Mafia
The Mafia is a criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid-nineteenth century in Sicily, Italy. It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct, and whose common enterprise is protection racketeering...
type figure who treated Ömer like one of his sons and offered him some protection while imprisoned. In 2006, Ömer, had his face badly cut by the chief warden with two other guards by using a riot
Riot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
in the prison as an excuse to beat Ömer, so he would tell where the money was. Ömer pretended to tell him, so that when the warden dismissed the other guards, a fight to the death mean't the head warden was killed. With help from Ramiz, it was made known that Ömer had died but his face was unrecognisable, when actually Ömer escaped the jail and had full plastic surgery
Plastic surgery
Plastic surgery is a medical specialty concerned with the correction or restoration of form and function. Though cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is the best-known kind of plastic surgery, most plastic surgery is not cosmetic: plastic surgery includes many types of reconstructive surgery, hand...
. Ömer Uçar then changed his name to Ezel Bayraktar (meaning "eternity" in Turkish
Turkish language
Turkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
), played by Kenan İmirzalıoğlu
Kenan İmirzalıoğlu
-Biography:Kenan İmirzalıoğlu was born as the youngest of three children to Mustafa and Yıldız İmirzalıoğlu in the village of Üçem in Balâ, Ankara Province. At age 12, he moved to the city of Ankara for his middle studies. He graduated in Mathematics from Yıldız Technical University...
), and returns to get his revenge, unknown to his previous friends, Eyşan and Cengiz (who are now married and have a son), and Ali (who is head of security at Cengiz's hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
) The once simple boy becomes a man exceptionally skilled at gambling
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
, reading people, fighting, and has considerably high class in society. He is helped by his assistants Kamil (Güray Kip) and Sebnem (Bade İşçil), as well as his prison mentor Ramiz Karaeski.
Cengiz Atay
The main villain of the series.Ömer's childhood friend,after the betrayal one of Ezel's worst enemies.Married with Eysan and loves money.Serdar Tezcan
Eysan's father,con man and the mastermind of the plan of robbing the casino and killing the security guard for what Ömer got imprisoned.The second main villain of the first season.Sekiz - Number 8
Grandson of Ramiz Karaeski, has the same name as his grandfather. Raised in lies and deception, he was led to believe his grandfather was responsible for his father's death.Cast
| Actor name | role name | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Kenan İmirzalıoğlu Kenan İmirzalıoğlu -Biography:Kenan İmirzalıoğlu was born as the youngest of three children to Mustafa and Yıldız İmirzalıoğlu in the village of Üçem in Balâ, Ankara Province. At age 12, he moved to the city of Ankara for his middle studies. He graduated in Mathematics from Yıldız Technical University... |
Ezel Bayraktar / Ömer Uçar | The protagonist, in love with Eysan, swore vengeance on the people who betrayed him |
| İsmail Filiz | Ömer Uçar | Played Ömer before the surgery. Appears mainly in flashback scenes |
| Cansu Dere Cansu Dere Cansu Dere is a Turkish film actress, beauty pageant contestant, and model.-Biography:Having received her primary and secondary education in Izmir, Dere graduated from the department of Archaeology at İstanbul University.She has starred in TV and movies since 2004... |
Eyşan Tezcan Atay | Love interest of Ezel and Cengiz, con woman taught by her father Serdar, in love with Ezel (Ömer) |
| Yiğit Özşener Yiğit Özşener - Biography :Özşener graduated from Yıldız Technical University with a degree in Electornics and Communications Engineering in 1996. Özşener who had began studying acting at the Şahika Tekand acting studio, began acting there in various play, including Harold Pinter's The Dumb Waiter which was... |
Cengiz Atay | The main villain of the series, Ezel's chilhood friend, now enemy, in love with Eysan |
| Barış Falay | Ali Kırgız aka Kerpeten Ali | Good-hearted antagonist in 1st Season, later became a good guy to Ezel again, in love with Bahar but after her death, fell in love with Azad |
| Sedef Avcı Sedef Avci Sedef Avci is a Turkish model and actress. She won Elite Model Look Turkey in 1997. She represented Turkey at Miss Universe contestant in 2001.She is married to model and actor Kıvanç Kasabalı.-Acting career:... |
Bahar Tezcan | Eyşan's sister, suffering from leucemia, in love with Ezel, Ali's love interest |
| Tuncel Kurtiz Tuncel Kurtiz Tuncel Kurtiz is a Turkish theatre, movie and TV series actor, playwright and film director. Since 1964, he has acted in more than 70 movies, including many international productions.- Biography :... |
Ramiz Karaeski | Mafia Mafia The Mafia is a criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid-nineteenth century in Sicily, Italy. It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct, and whose common enterprise is protection racketeering... boss, the Godfather, mentored and trained Ezel |
| Haluk Bilginer Haluk Bilginer Haluk Bilginer is a Turkish actor. In addition to his acting career in Turkey, he has also worked in the United Kingdom and remains best known for his role as Mehmet Osman in the television soap opera EastEnders during the 1980s. He has also starred in Hollywood movies as a minor actor... |
Kenan Birkan | The second main villain. Mafia boss, Ramiz's former friend, now nemesis, was in love with selma, in love with eysan |
| Salih Kalyon | Serdar Tezcan | Villain, conman, Eyşan's and Bahar's father |
| İpek Bilgin | Meliha Uçar | Ömer's mother |
| Beyazıt Gülercan | Mümtaz Uçar | Ömer's father |
| Kemal Uçar | Mert Uçar | Ömer's brother, journalist seeking the truth about his brother |
| Burcin Terzioglu | Azad Karaeski | Ramiz's daughter, in love with Ali |
| Sarp Akkaya | Tevfik Zaim | Often called Tefo, Ramiz's and Ezel's man, befriends Ali. In love with Sebnem |
| Bade İşçil | Şebnem Sertuna | Ezel's assistant, in love with Tefo |
| Güray Kip | Kamil Çamlıca | Ezel's right-hand man |
| Bengü Benian | Nükhet Özbağ | Eyşan's Aunt |
| Utku Barış Serma | Can Atay | Ezel and Eysan's son |
| Rıza Kocaoğlu | Temmuz | Kenan Birkan's hitman |
| Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ | Sekiz | Ramiz's grandson |
| Berrak Tüzünataç Berrak Tüzünataç Berrak Tüzünataç is a Turkish actress and model.-Biography:Berrak Tüzünataç moved to İstanbul in 1995 with her family and attended Koç School. In 2004, she began studying Business Administration at Istanbul University. She worked as a presenter on Number One TV. She joined a model agency and took... |
Bade | Vur Kaç's barwoman and Ezel's girlfriend |
İsmail Cem Television Awards (2010)
- Best Movie Trailers: Ezel (Ay Yapım)
- Best Director of Photography: Ezel (Veysel Tekşahin)
- Best Editor: Ezel (Derdar Çakular)
- Best Original Screenplay: Ezel (Kerem Deren, Pınar Bulut)
- Best Music: Ezel (Toygar Işıklı)
- Best Memorable Scene: Ezel
- Best Director: Ezel (Uluç Bayraktar)
- Best Drama Actor: Ezel (Kenan İmirzalioğlu)
- Outstanding Drama Series: Ezel