Ezel Bayraktar / Ömer Uçar
An idealistic young man, full of integrity and good spirits. On the happiest night of his life, he is unjustly imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit, framed by none other than his two best friends and fiancée. Twelve years and a fortune later, he walks into their lives once more as Ezel Bayraktar, determined to take his revenge.
- Fool for Love: He still carries feelings for Eyşan and almost allows himself to fall for her again, despite knowing better.
Eyşan Tezcan Atay
Ezel's former fiancée, whose false testimony helped lead to his conviction — an act that has haunted her every step. Raised by a grifter of a father after her mother's suicide, she learned how to deceive and manipulate others from a tender age. Since the fateful day Ömer was imprisoned, she married Cengiz and become mother to a son, Can.
- Aloof Dark-Haired Girl: A beautiful, reserved yet polite brunette.
- Big Sister Instinct: Eyşan is extremely protective of her baby sister Bahar and sensitive to her needs.
- Cold Sniper: Not by profession, but she's a hell of a shot with a bow and arrow and has an icy personality to match.
- Defrosting Ice Queen: She has a standoffish and even haughty demeanor, but becomes warm and charitable to those she chooses to open up to.
- Little Miss Con Artist: As a girl her father taught her how to prey on the kindness of others and directly involved her in his schemes.
- Princess in Rags: Over the course of the first season, she goes from a wealthy and successful business owner to a destitute woman without property to her name.
Cengiz Atay
Ömer's childhood friend, who betrayed him out of jealously, desiring Eyşan for himself. Since the robbery he has become a successful businessman, increasing his wealth with casinos and luxury hotels, which he manages alongside his wife. A cunning and covetous man, he won't let anything stand in the way of what he wants.
- Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: Perfectly willing to betray old friends and switch sides when a more profitable scheme presents itself, even if it means abandoning another con already in progress.
- Green-Eyed Monster: His participation in the robbery was primarily spurred by jealousy over Eyşan. Landing Ömer in jail and Removing the Rival was what he desired most; the money was just a bonus.
- Nouveau Riche: Became a wealthy casino magnate off the riches obtained in the robbery.
- The Resenter: His growing silent resentment of Ömer ultimately led to the betrayal of his childhood friend.
- The Unapologetic: In contrast to Eyşan and Ali, Cengiz demonstrates no remorse for what he did to Ömer.
Ali Kırgız
An auto mechanic who befriended Ömer and took him on as an apprentice when he was a teenager. Pressured into joining the robbery, it was Ali who fired the fatal shot that killed a guard, resulting in Ömer's life sentence. Unlike Cengiz, he squandered his fortune early on; forced to beg his old friend for a job, he now works security at Cengiz's casinos.
- The Atoner: The reveal of Ezel's identity forces him to face his past deeds head-on. By the end of the first season, he is genuinely remorseful, determined to atone for his crimes and gain Ömer's forgiveness — or die trying.
- Dogged Nice Guy: He is desperate for Bahar's affections, though she only has eyes for Ezel. He's eventually happy being Just Friends.
- Grease Monkey: Before the con, he worked as an auto mechanic, even teaching Ömer the art of the trade.
- Hair-Trigger Temper: Ali is prone to lashing out at the slightest provocation or insult.
- Properly Paranoid: Ali is the only person who immediately suspects Ezel is up to no good, objecting to his deepening friendships with Cengiz, Eyşan, and Bahar. The others dismiss his concerns or brush them off as the product of jealousy, but he's ultimately right that things aren't as they seem.
- Torture Technician: He is nicknamed Kerpeten ("Pliers"). Back at the auto shop, he merely used them to intimidate; as Cengiz's head of security, he uses them to yank out fingernails of suspected cheaters, informants, and business rivals.
Kenan Birkan
Bahar Tezcan
Eyşan's younger sister and closest confidant. Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma as a child, it was her condition that prompted Eyşan to participate in the robbery, which funded her treatment. Optimistic and spirited, Bahar is a kindhearted girl who seeks out the good in others and hopes for a brighter future, in spite of news that her cancer has returned.
- The Cutie: Bahar is characterized by her optimism, sweetness, and positive energy.
- Delicate and Sickly: Chronically ill as a child due to cancer.
- Friend to All Children: She volunteers at a school, where she is surrounded by an adoring flock of children.
- The Ingenue: She is tender, romantic, compassionate, and pure of heart, even as those around her succumb to their personal weaknesses. Ezel and Eyşan both note that despite the corruption and hatred around her, Bahar manages to maintain her kindhearted nature and innocence.
- Littlest Cancer Patient: Bahar was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma as a young girl, but was unable to receive treatment due to the expense; it wasn't until the robbery that she was able to get the medical assistance she needed.
- Morality Pet: Pulls triple duty for Ezel, Eyşan, and Ali.
- Wide-Eyed Idealist: Bahar believes in the goodness of other people and the power of hope. While her idealism may not be shared by other characters, it often earns her the friendship and affection of those around her.
Azad Karaeski / Hande Pasin
The youngest child and only daughter of Ramiz Karaeski and Selma Hüner. Sent into hiding abroad as a child, Ramiz sought to conceal Azad's existence, concerned that she would be assassinated or used as leverage by his enemies. Although she succeeded in building a life for herself, her turbulent girlhood and feelings of abandonment have left her resentful of her father, whom she is resistant to cross paths with again.
- Brainy Brunette: She is educated, intelligent, intuitive, and of course, a brunette.
- Daddy Had a Good Reason for Abandoning You: Ramiz sent her into hiding as a little girl to protect her from the fate which would eventually befall her brothers. He made visits to her at first, which became less frequent as she grew up, leading to long-term resentment; she knows full well that her tumultuous childhood was the result of her father's voluntary lifestyle choices and the reason she was endangered in the first place.
- Daddy's Girl: She was truly her father's daughter before he stopped visiting for good. Since reconciling, she seems to be falling into this role again.
- Deadpan Snarker: Right out of the gate, she's snarking at Cengiz, Ali, and Ezel — while they're essentially holding her hostage.
- Gender-Blender Name: Azad is typically a masculine name.
- Hidden in Plain Sight: She managed to build a public life for herself as an adult, living under the name Hande Pasin and working as a biographer (for her estranged father, no less).
- Plucky Girl: She demonstrates a remarkable amount of fortitude and strength considering the cards life has dealt her, but despite disappointments and setbacks, she presses onward with courage and resilience.
- Sent Into Hiding: Sent into hiding as a child to prevent her father's enemies from using her life as leverage. Considering her three older brothers were assassinated by his greatest rival, his choice is not unwarranted.
Serdar Tezcan
A small-time hustler and the father of Eyşan and Bahar.
Can Atay
The twelve-year-old son of Eyşan and Cengiz. Conceived on the night of the robbery, he is in reality Ömer's biological child. An innocent yet perceptive kid, his happy and comfortable family life is slowly thrown into disarray when Ezel sets his plans for vengeance into motion.
- Attention Deficit... Ooh, Shiny!: Downplayed. Can is formally diagnosed with ADD and has trouble focusing at school, but it's never an exaggerated trait.
Meliha Uçar
Mümtaz Uçar
Mert Uçar
Tevfik Zaim
Şebnem Sertuna
Ezel's sidekick and confidant. A former drug addict, Şebnem was recruited by Ezel after he foiled the plans of her previous boss to drug and rob participants in a private game. As Ezel's associate, she often acts as his eyes and ears inside Cengiz's operations while he attends to other business.
- Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: She's a platinum blonde with a strong moral compass. Although not as vocal as Kamil, she voices her objections when she feels Ezel's plans do more harm than good. She doesn't object to scheming against actual evildoers, however; on the contrary, she enjoys seeing them get their comeuppance.
- Motor Mouth: A fast-talking extrovert who'll talk your ear off, often to the consternation of The Stoics around her.
- Recovered Addict: Alluded to in the episode she plays hooky with Ali, ultimately a ploy on Ezel's behalf. When he invites her to do drugs, she reluctantly tells him that she doesn't use — at least not anymore. Fortunately, he doesn't press the issue.
- Undying Loyalty: Remains loyal to Ezel, even when she feels underappreciated or is offered double the pay. When asked by Ali why she refused his offer to work for him, she simply tells him that she prefers serving good people.
Kamil Çamlıca
Ezel's assistant, confidant, and driver. A former police officer discharged from the force, Kamil was a chronic alcholic, estranged from his family, and generally down on his luck when Ezel first met him. He turned his life around with Ezel's guidance, and now serves him loyally, acting as a chauffeur, bodyguard, and voice of reason.
- The Alcoholic: When Ezel first met him, he was a hard-drinking cop who had been kicked off the force for his addiction.
- Battle Butler: Follows his boss into dangerous situations, where he often provides crucial firepower since Ezel doesn't carry a gun.
- The Conscience: Deeply concerned that Ezel's sense of right and wrong will be lost in his desire for revenge, he often assumes the role of moral anchor to his boss, reminding him of his ideals and dissuading him from rash actions via Brutal Honesty.
- The Driver: His primary duty is chauffeuring Ezel from place to place.
- Older Sidekick: He has at least twenty years on Ezel.
- Recovered Addict: A former alcoholic and reckless gambler who shaped up with Ezel's help. He almost falls off the wagon when Ezel temporarily dismisses him from his service, but rids himself of the bottle before he succumbs to his old addiction.
- Undying Loyalty: He owes Ezel his life, and would willingly follow him into hell. His loyalty cannot be bought or sold, and opponents don't even try.
Selma Hüner
Temmuz Kocaoğlu / Mustafa Eskici
Portrayed by: Rıza Kocaoğlu
A mysterious hitman in the employ of an unknown entity, eventually revealed to be businessman Kenan Birkan. An eccentric man with a rather peculiar sense of style, Temmuz is obsessed with sets of two, speaks in a flat monotone, and decorates his home with Disney memorabilia. He's also a highly skilled, ruthless killer with no conscience to speak of, making him one of the show's most enduring antagonists.
- Bunny-Ears Lawyer: Temmuz is an eccentric individual with peculiar manners and tastes, but second to none when it comes to professional murder.
- Cold Sniper: Skilled with a sniper rifle as he is with any other firearm, it's the weapon he uses to murder Bahar.
- Creepy Blue Eyes: He has stony blue eyes that are devoid of emotion and almost never seem to blink.
- Creepy Monotone: His eerie aura is only magnified by his flat, inexpressive voice.
- Dork in a Sweater: Wears a sweater vest as part of his ensemble and, if the memorabilia in his home is anything to go by, is fond of Disney and superhero comics. It doesn't make him any less dangerous.
- Even Evil Has Standards: He's not a man without principles. They're just very flexible ones.Actually, I'm a man who has principles. For example, I can turn down a target I don't want. I don't take a job unless I'm paid. I don't approve children as targets... but I can shift my principles for a gift like this.
- Evil Mentor: He's working to shape the child Ocak into a Mini Mook, right down to his sense of fashion. His methods appear to imitate the upbringing and training he himself received at the House of Seasons.
- Feet-First Introduction: He is identified by his black-and-white Converse shoes, his signature footwear, almost a full episode before his face is actually revealed. His feet are frequently shown first whenever he appears, adding tension and peril to the scene.
- Fingore: Starts wearing a leather glove on his right hand after Ali cuts off his index finger in the second season premiere, in retribution for Bahar's murder.
- Hero Killer: He is directly responsible for the deaths of Kamil, Bahar, and Selma, as well as Tevfik (by proxy). Not to mention the many times he has threatened, wounded, or attempted to kill Ezel's friends and family.
- Lack of Empathy: He conducts his work with cold indifference, and shows no compassion or even pity to his targets or their loved ones. He has no personal loyalties or human attachments, and callously orders the death of his protégé when he becomes an inconvenience.
- Limited Wardrobe: He wears the same ensemble in every episode: grey cap, orange sweater vest, brown jacket, and black Converse. He begins wearing a black leather glove on his right hand in season two, after Ali deprives him of a finger.
- Mysterious Past: To the extent that any revelation about his history raises more questions than it answers.
- Neat Freak: Keeps his home meticulously clean, organized, and arranged in sets of two.
- Professional Killer: According to Kenan, he is second to none in his field. What makes him a terrible human being evidently makes him a highly efficient hitman.
- The Sociopath: Calculating, merciless, dispassionate, and devoid of anything resembling a conscience. Conducting successful hits, dispatching difficult targets, and inflicting pain are the only things that seem to bring him pleasure in life, and he appears to have no enduring relationships outside that of his employer. Other people are but pawns or tools for him to exploit in pursuit of his current goals, and he sees no difference between killing a seasoned criminal and a innocent bystander.
- Sole Survivor: He and his twin Manolya were the sole survivors of a massacre that left their parents dead.
- The Stoic: He is characterized by a flat affect and perpetually emotionless demeanor.
- Tyke Bomb: He was brought up in the mysterious House of Seasons, where he first developed his rather peculiar and deadly skill set.
- Would Hurt a Child: He's a seasoned killer and doesn't make exceptions for children, owing to his highly flexible code of honor. At various points in the series he tries killing a newborn, threatens Can, endangers a busload of children, and coolly orders a lackey to dispose of his protégé when he's no longer useful.
Bade Uysal
A local art student who quickly establishes a rapport with Ezel while searching for work. She is not only hired to manage the bar at Vur Kaç, but to serve as his confidant, owing to her status as an outsider. Although Eyşan's shadow looms over them both, their relationship quickly evolves from friendship to romance, giving Ezel a new outlook on life.
- The Bartender: As manager and bartender of Vur Kaç, she is always ready to lend an ear, becoming a trusted acquaintance to Ezel's friends.
- The Confidant: Because of her initial status as an outsider, Ezel unofficially enlists her as a confidant, to whom he can express his worries without any strings attached.
- Girl Next Door: She is down-to-earth, approachable, and somewhat naïve. Her positive qualities and realistic optimism endear her to Ezel and earn her Azad's friendship.
- Insecure Love Interest: Becomes self-conscious after meeting Eyşan, who doesn't waste time dishing out not-so-subtle insults; her insecurities only increase whenever Eyşan intrudes on their relationship.
- Replacement Goldfish: Defied. Although Ezel loves and respects her as an individual, she recognizes that he still has unresolved feelings for Eyşan, and that deep down, he wants nothing more than to continue where he left off fourteen years before. Refusing to be a second-option substitute in his dreams, she breaks up with him and urges him to follow his heart, as he will never find happiness unless his feelings are resolved.
- Starving Student: Lives in a low-rent community flat above the workshop, and starts working at Vur Kaç in order to pay the bills.
- Unexpected Virgin: Azad is rather surprised when Bade reveals she isn't just a virgin, but hasn't even had a romantic relationship before. Ezel is similarly taken aback, and takes care to ensure he isn't pressuring her into doing anything that makes her uncomfortable.
- Unkempt Beauty: She wears minimal makeup and favors non-fussy hairstyles, but is nevertheless pretty.
- Wrench Wench: Of The Blacksmith variety. Although she dabbles in a variety of arts as a student, her passion appears to lie in welding and (especially) sculpting, which she does at the workshop.
Sekiz / Ramiz Karaeski
The grandson of Ramiz Dayı through his eldest son, Selim. As a ten-year-old boy, he witnessed the murder of his father while walking home from school, an order Kenan Birkan pinned on the then-imprisoned Dayı. Young Ramiz grew up under the tutelage of Kenan himself, who indocrinated him against his grandfather, hoping to achieve the ultimate revenge against his former friend.
- A Father to His Men: As a military commander, he inspired mutual respect, trust, and loyalty among his men, and evidently cares for them as friends and comrades. He personally delivers his medals into the keeping of a disabled soldier, whom he believes is more deserving of the honor.
- Bastard Understudy: To Kenan, who specifically raised Sekiz as his own in a scheme to get back at his grandfather.
- Conflicting Loyalty: His conversation with Azad creates a crack in his armor and causes him to question everything "Papa" Kenan told him about Ramiz, and reveals a gulf of difference between protégé and tutor. His attempt on Ramiz's life only deepens his sense of internal conflict, and he is left to choose between the man who raised him and his namesake.
- Cool Shades: Frequently dons a pair of shades that exude badassitude.
- From Camouflage to Criminal: Returns from military service to fulfill the extrajudicial orders of Kenan Birkan.
- Icy Blue Eyes: He has stolid cold eyes that complement his stoic personality.
- Laser Guided Tyke Bomb: Kenan purposely took Sekiz under his wing and raised him as his own, turning him against Ramiz by framing him for his father's murder. By instilling his own desire for revenge into his ward, Kenan hopes to use Sekiz as the ultimate weapon against his grandfather, who would be loath to act against his own kin.
- Raised by Rival: Sekiz was brought up by Kenan Birkan, who ordered the death of his father when he was only a young boy, and used as a de facto hostage against his grandfather. He was raised to believe Ramiz was responsible for the death of his father, an accepted truth he never questioned for years.
- Rugged Scar: He has a rather prominent one that extends across his right temple, running over his eyebrow and toward his ear.
- Sociopathic Soldier: Subverted. Sekiz first appears to be a ruthless and unpredictable ex-soldier, hardened by battle and lacking a sense of empathy. However, much of his posturing is ultimately for show, serving to intimidate his opponents. Most tellingly, he doesn't follow through with his threats to harm innocent bystanders (as Temmuz often does), nor does he use Azad as leverage when he could easily do so (a move she accurately predicts). The only person he actually tries to kill is Dayı, and he can't even follow through with that job in the end.
- The Stoic: Taciturn and restrained, Sekiz seldom reveals his emotional state. However, later events and new revelations show he is Not So Stoic.
- You Are Number 6: His sobriquet is literally the number eight (sekiz). It signifies September 8, the day Kenan first met Ramiz... and the day he's tasked with fulfilling his revenge.
Kaya
Portrayed by: Levent Can
Kenan Birkan's right-hand man.
Yusuf Eğir
Portrayed by: Taner Turan
An old friend and lawyer of Kenan Birkan, whom he enlists to help make the Istanbul casino project a reality. Hoping Cengiz can learn from an experienced businessman, Kenan partners the two men together; however, it isn't long before he begins to chafe under Yusuf's patronizing personality.
- Amoral Attorney: Among other things, he fabricated false evidence against Ramiz and forced Selma to perform a Shameful Strip in order to coerce him into cooperating.
- Bad Boss: As Cengiz quickly learns, Yusuf is not a man that takes failures lightly; the first order he gives his "partner" is to beat an associate to death for compromising the operation.
- Corrupt Corporate Executive: Like other members of the cabal and Kenan himself, Yusuf is a shrewd businessman who isn't above using blackmail, extortion, bribery, fraud, or outright violence to achieve his goals. He tends to look at and treat the people he "owns" like a mob boss would, and punishes them accordingly.
- Smug Snake: An arrogant and haughty man, he exudes smarmy self-satisfaction and enjoys gloating.
Eren Karaçam
Portrayed by: Yağız Atakan Savaş
The son of the security guard killed during the ill-fated casino robbery, who has since grown into a sullen teenager. Abandoned by his mother, he has nursed a steady grudge against the world around him, finding joy only in the fact that Ömer Uçar — his father's alleged murderer — was killed in a prison riot. In a twist of irony, he fosters a positive relationship with Ali, the man who actually shot and killed his father; when he discovers who was really behind the murder, the results are predictably tragic.
- Bastard Understudy: Hoping to tap into his feelings of anger and resentment, Ali approaches Eren and offers to make him his protégé, teaching him to shoot and kill.
- Hot-Blooded: He is temperamental, easily aggravated, and prone to violent outbursts, especially when it comes to his father's murder.
- Parental Abandonment: Unable to care for two children after the death of her husband, his mother chose to abandon Eren at the orphanage as a young boy, opting to keep his sister instead.
- Troubled Child: Indignant, resentful and antisocial, he makes a point of escaping from the orphanage and rejecting help from staff and volunteers. His obstinate and unruly behavior may be the reason he's the oldest child still at the orphanage.
Ocak / "Chucky"
Portrayed by: Araz Alem
An eerie child in the care of Temmuz, whom Ezel finds while searching the hitman's home for answers. He takes the boy away and places him under the guardianship of Tevfik, who calls him Chucky (yes, after that Chucky), and tries to gain his trust.
- Bastard Understudy: He was brought up by the taciturn hitman Temmuz, who shaped him into a mini-me and taught him to kill.
- Big Eater: Constantly hungry, he is often seen with a snack in his hand, or otherwise asking for food.
- Children Forced to Kill: His conversation with Tevfik suggests a degree of coercion and fear is involved in his relationship with Temmuz, and that he isn't exactly a willing participant in his crimes.Papa makes me do things I don't want to do.
- Creepy Child: His shallow affect, unblinking gaze and eerie calmness are rather unsettling. Tevfik, tasked with caring for the child, is particularly unnerved by his presence.Tefo: He stares like he's Satan. I see him when I wake up at night and his eyes are always wide open like this! [bugs eyes out]
- Dissonant Serenity: He remains alarmingly calm in situations that would rattle the nerves of most adults, such as when mooks open fire on Tevfik's apartment. During the assault he remains calmly seated and continues to eat pizza as though nothing has happened, while Ali, Azad, and Şebnem fly into a panic.
- In-Series Nickname: Tevfik calls him "Chucky" because of his initial refusal to share his name.
- Mini Mook: He has adopted the dress, mannerisms, and speaking style of his mentor.
- Morality Pet: Subverted. He appears to be one for Temmuz at first, but he's merely a tool that can be disposed of when he is no longer useful.
- The Quiet One: He initially doesn't speak to Ezel or his friends (except to ask for food). Even Şebnem, whom he takes a particular liking to, can't get a word out of him.
- Troubling Unchildlike Behavior: His inscrutable demeanor, lack of expression, and ability to assemble a gun in seconds are the first clues he hasn't exactly had a "normal" upbringing.
- Tyke Bomb: Raised and trained by Temmuz to kill, just as he himself once was.
Rabia Karaeski
Portrayed by: Rabia Sultan Düzenli
Ramiz's wife and the mother of his three sons. A demure and unassuming woman, she attended to her children and their family home in Gaziantep while her husband went about his business in Istanbul.
- Amicable Exes: With Ramiz. Despite his history of frequent absences and obvious preference for Selma, they nevertheless share a friendly affection for each other, as shown when he visits her in the present-day.
- Betty and Veronica: The provincial, traditional Betty to Selma's modern, forward-thinking Veronica. The contrast is particularly pronounced when Selma asks Kenan to help clean the table, only to be corrected by Rabia, who tells her the women alone will do it because "it isn't man's work".
- Extreme Doormat: If she ever suspects Selma and Ramiz are more than friends or bemoans his absences, she never confronts him about it and even maintains a friendly demeanor when Selma visits. When he abruptly leaves to seek out Selma one night, she finally begs him to stay, but as her pleas fall on deaf ears she gives up in a matter of moments, falling to the ground in tears.
- Housewife: Modest and obedient, she epitomizes the ideal traditional housewife who happily cares for the children, entertains houseguests, and serves her husband a hot meal when he comes home.
