About “Çukur” in a few words:

Çukur is a Turkish TV series that premiered in 2017 and has since become one of the most popular shows in Turkey. The series is set in a dangerous neighborhood in Istanbul and revolves around the Kocovali family, who controls the neighborhood. The show is known for its intense drama, action-packed scenes, and complex characters. Throughout the series, viewers are taken on a journey through the lives of the Kocovali family and their rivals, as they navigate the dangerous world of Çukur.

Meet the characters from Çukur

Yamaç Koçovali

Yamaç is that quiet storm — calm on the surface but absolutely volcanic when it comes to his people. He leads with this weird mix of poetry and muscle, like he could recite an old rhyme right after breaking up a fight, and yes he sometimes cries in the car alone (or maybe that was just once, I swear). Protective to a fault, stubborn as a mule, and somehow always two steps ahead even when he looks lost. He’s the kind of guy who loves old vinyls and also knows every back alley in the city — multiple hobbies, few contradictions, huge heart.

Aliço

Aliço is loyalty embodied, the kind of friend who shows up at 3 a.m. with stew and a plan, usually in that order. Big laugh, bigger fists, but he also has this secret softness — you’ll catch him humming to himself or fixing a kid’s toy with too much focus. He’s the anchor for everyone when things go sideways, stubbornly optimistic and slightly reckless, like he believes muscle can solve most problems (and sometimes it does). Gives terrible advice on love but perfect advice on loyalty; also, I’m fairly sure he collects mismatched socks.

Metin

Metin is fire and ambition, always hungry for something bigger even when he can’t admit why — pride, probably, or a midlife crisis? He’s charismatic, a little slick, the type who grins when scheming and then looks genuinely sorry five minutes later, which is confusing but fun. Sometimes he’s ruthless, sometimes he’s the guy who shows up with flowers for no reason; mood swings keep him interesting. He wears too much perfume and tells too many stories about “the old days,” some of which definitely change every time he tells them.

Meke

Meke is the wildcard, unpredictable in the best way — half poet, half troublemaker, and all energy. He’ll flirt with danger and then cry at a sunset; it’s exhausting to watch but you can’t look away. He says odd things like “the moon owes me money” and sometimes means it, sometimes not, and he has a habit of pulling off crazy stunts just to see if he can. Sweet under the chaos though, stubbornly loyal, and possibly allergic to authority (or at least allergic to listening).

Sultan Koçovali

Sultan is matriarchal royalty with a terrifying glare and the softest hands you can imagine — she runs the house like a queen but can make you feel forgiven with a single look. She’s fiercely protective, has a memory like an encyclopedia (don’t lie!), and cooks like she’s negotiating peace treaties in the kitchen. People underestimate her because she smiles so rarely, which is her secret weapon; also, rumor has it she knits revenge plots into scarves. Okay maybe not, but she does collect teapots and uses them as intimidation tools.

Medet

Medet is chaos wrapped in a warm coat — part comic relief, part living headache for the family, and somehow indispensable. He’s always two jokes ahead of the situation and five minutes late, which is both charming and infuriating. Tends to gamble with silly stakes (whoever loses cleans the teacups) and then turns serious at the perfect, improbable moment. Loves stray animals, hates rules, and claims he once met someone famous but the details keep changing.

Saadet

Saadet is gentle but iron-willed, the kind of person whose calm hides a backbone of steel — you don’t push her unless you want consequences. She’s quietly devout in a way that’s almost pragmatic, like faith is a tool she uses to steady herself, and she sings lullabies that will make you cry on purpose. She’s patient but not a pushover; cross her and she’ll be polite about it and then dismantle you with one sentence. Also, she bakes surprisingly aggressive pastries — sweet on the outside, lethal on the inside.

Salih Koçovali

Salih carries the weight of the family like it’s a familiar coat — worn, sometimes patched, always comfortable in the end. He’s pragmatic, a little gruff, tells blunt truths and expects you to survive them, but he’ll also sneak you an extra slice of bread when you’re not looking. Old-school honor, new-school contradictions: he loves order but has a drawer full of chaotic memories and letters. He drinks strong coffee, seems to remember every slight forever, but forgives faster than you’d think (or at least pretends to, which is almost the same).

Emmi

Emmi is the elderly uncle who knows too many stories and insists on telling them while everyone is trying to sleep — infuriating and priceless. He’s part historian, part mischief-maker, and surprisingly sharp for someone who complains about his knees every five minutes. Pops a candy into your hand and then lectures you about respect; he bickers with everyone but will jump in front of a truck for a family member without a second thought. Also, he has a suspiciously good memory for gossip and a terrible sense of time.

Ayse Yilmaz

Ayse is fire wrapped in practicality, sharp-tongued and impossibly brave — she doesn’t ask for help but will take it if you’re really offering. She’s independent to a fault, fiercely moral, and has this knack for standing her ground in ways that make people around her better or deeply uncomfortable. Romantic? Maybe, but on her terms — she’d rather solve a problem than write a love poem (though she might secretly keep one). She wears practical shoes and has a laugh that sneaks up on you; also, she collects tiny stones for reasons she won’t explain.

Karaca Koçovali

Karaca is small but unbelievably fierce, like a pocket-sized revolution with pigtails — smart, stubborn, and somehow older than her years. She reads too much for her age (or not enough, depending on who you ask) and has opinions about who should rule your life, namely herself. She’ll stab you with a pencil and then apologize with a drawing; chaotic but adorable, and surprisingly strategic. Loves animals, fears cucumbers (maybe), and probably already has a list of people she’ll one day overthrow.