Arka Sokaklar (2006–)
Also known as: Back Streets
Back Streets (Arka Sokaklar) is a Turkish crime, action series broadcast on Kanal D, first aired in 2006–. A crime series about a special police unit in Istanbul that confronts crime while balancing demanding operations, team solidarity and family life. Looking for something similar? See the criteria-based guide Turkish series based on true stories: what is confirmed and what is only claimed.
Back Streets cast: Zafer Ergin (Rıza Soylu), Özgür Ozan (Hüsnü Çoban), Kerimhan Duman (Tunç Güneri), Şevket Çoruh (Mesut Güneri), Onur Bay (Tekin Çoban), Alp Korkmaz (Ali Akdoğan).
Editor: Uğur Arı
Where to watch Back Streets (Arka Sokaklar)
Back Streets (Arka Sokaklar) is available in United States on YouTube (Official YouTube).
- YouTubeOfficial YouTubeOfficial
Subtitle/dubbing languages not verified; availability on a platform does not imply language support.
Last checked: 13 Sept 2026 · May be outdated
Streaming availability data via TMDB / JustWatch — TMDB / JustWatch
How many episodes does Back Streets have?
Back Streets has 752 episodes in total across 20 seasons.
Plot
Back Streets follows a dedicated police unit working within Istanbul’s Security Branch. The officers investigate crimes and encounter different human stories while also dealing with their family lives and personal struggles. Experienced police chief Rıza Soylu guides the team, whose professional commitment is presented alongside humor, drama and mutual support.
Origins of the story
Adaptation status
No reliable official source found for an adaptation from a specific novel, story, book, film, series, play, memoir or historical work.
Connection to reality
The series has not been verified as being based on a specific real event or person. In a 2025 Kanal D report, actress Felicia Sağnak said that the stories continue to draw on real life and events that resonate in society. This does not establish a direct adaptation of a particular case.
Iconic filming locations
The story setting and the real filming site are identified separately.
Istanbul Provincial Police Department, Vatan Avenue
Fatih · İstanbul · Türkiye
- Use in filming
- Interior scenes at the police team's headquarters
- Place represented in the story
- Istanbul Police Department Public Order Branch
- Scenes and context
- The real public building used as the main police headquarters; visitor access is not verified in the sources.
Hüsnü Çoban's house
Kanlıca, Beykoz · İstanbul · Türkiye
- Use in filming
- House scenes for the Çoban family
- Place represented in the story
- Hüsnü Çoban and his family's home
- Scenes and context
- This is a private residence; detailed address and visiting guidance are omitted.
Rıza Baba's house
Kanlıca, Beykoz · İstanbul · Türkiye
- Use in filming
- House scenes for Rıza Baba
- Place represented in the story
- Not explicitly stated in the sources
- Scenes and context
- The source places the house in Kanlıca; no detailed address is provided because it is a private residence.
Beyoğlu exterior filming areas
Beyoğlu · İstanbul · Türkiye
- Use in filming
- Exterior and incident scenes in Istanbul
- Place represented in the story
- Not explicitly stated in the sources
- Scenes and context
- No specific street or building is clearly identified in the sources.
Kadıköy exterior filming areas
Kadıköy · İstanbul · Türkiye
- Use in filming
- Exterior and incident scenes in Istanbul
- Place represented in the story
- Not explicitly stated in the sources
- Scenes and context
- No specific street or building is clearly identified in the sources.
Ürgüp filming areas
Ürgüp · Nevşehir · Türkiye
- Use in filming
- Season 20 finale and operation scenes
- Place represented in the story
- Nevşehir and Cappadocia
- Scenes and context
- Kanal D states that the finale was filmed in the Ürgüp area and that the story moved to Cappadocia.
Göreme filming areas
Göreme · Nevşehir · Türkiye
- Use in filming
- Season 20 finale and operation scenes
- Place represented in the story
- Nevşehir and Cappadocia
- Scenes and context
- Kanal D states that the finale was filmed in the Göreme area.
Balıklıgöl
Eyyübiye · Şanlıurfa · Türkiye
- Use in filming
- Historic and touristic location used for episode 700
- Place represented in the story
- Not explicitly stated in the sources
- Scenes and context
- Kanal D states that Balıklıgöl and Şanlıurfa's narrow streets appeared in episode 700.
Did Hüsnü Çoban (Özgür Ozan) die in Arka Sokaklar — did the actor leave the show?
Özgür Ozan (Komiser Hüsnü Çoban)
Hüsnü Çoban, a long-standing member of the show's cast, was shot three times by a character named Ali in episode 720 and was taken to hospital; the character was shown dead in the trailer for the following episode. Neither the production nor Kanal D made a clear statement on the matter, and no official farewell announcement was shared for Özgür Ozan — as a result, the character's definitive fate and whether the actor had actually left the show remained unclear for some time.
Sources: NTV · Hürriyet · Editor: Uğur Arı
No primary source (a statement from the production, the channel or the actor) was found for this claim; the sources above are press reports.
Why did Rıza Baba (Zafer Ergin) leave Arka Sokaklar?
Zafer Ergin (Rıza Baba)
Zafer Ergin, who had portrayed Rıza Baba for 17 years since 2006, departed from the series following a lengthy hiatus that had been requested by producer Türker İnanoğlu (Erler Film) and had subsequently been extended. The production stated that "cast members who find other work may leave, and if the series returns it can continue with new actors"; following this, Zafer Ergin terminated his 17-year contract and turned his attention to evaluating new projects. The actor did not make any official statement regarding the reasons for his departure.
Sources: NTV · Cumhuriyet · Editor: Uğur Arı
No primary source (a statement from the production, the channel or the actor) was found for this claim; the sources above are press reports.
Official video
Details
- Year
- 2006–2026
- Channel
- Kanal D
- Genre
- crime, action
- Seasons
- 20
- Episodes
- 752
- Rating
- 5.7
Cast
Character Map
Hero
- ↳ Mesut Güneri — ally
- ↳ Hüsnü Çoban — ally
- ↳ Selin Güneri — ally
- ↳ Hakan Çınar — ally
- ↳ Zeki Çevik — ally
- ↳ Ali Komiser — ally
- ↳ Pınar — parent
- ↳ Hüsnü Çoban — ally
- ↳ Selin Güneri — ally
- ↳ Hakan Çınar — ally
- ↳ Tunç Güneri — parent
Supporting
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Series that share cast members with this one
Same genre: action · Shared actor: Zafer Ergin (as Mehmet Karahanlı)
Genre: drama · Shared actor: Oya Okar (as Gülümsün Kaya)
Genre: drama · Shared actor: Sarp Levendoğlu (as Ütğm. Levent Yılmaz)
Genre: drama · Shared actor: Şevket Çoruh (as Yaşar)
Genre: comedy · Shared actor: Ebru Cündübeyoğlu (as Deniz)
What's in this series?
Production and broadcast context
The series premiered on July 31, 2006. A Kanal D feature from 2021 identified Erler Film as the production company, Türker İnanoğlu as producer, Orhan Oğuz as director, and Ozan Yurdakul and Sinan Yurdakul as screenwriters. Kanal D International’s current catalogue lists D Media as producer, reflecting a later production structure.
Connection with social reality
The series is built around police officers working on Istanbul streets, the cases they investigate and the human stories they encounter. In a 2025 Kanal D report, Felicia Sağnak said that the stories continue to draw on real life and events that resonate in society. The source does not identify a specific real case or person.
Long-running broadcast and continuity
Kanal D states that the series began on July 31, 2006 and reached its 600th episode in 2021. The production team associated its longevity with teamwork, audience support and sustained attachment to the characters.
International catalogue presentation
Kanal D International catalogues the series under the official international title “Back Streets.” It presents the show as a crime drama about a dedicated Istanbul police unit and describes its combination of humor, drama and professional solidarity.
Frequently asked questions
When did Back Streets air?
Back Streets (Arka Sokaklar) first aired on 31 July 2006 on Kanal D.
Who is in the cast of Back Streets (Arka Sokaklar)?
The main cast of Back Streets includes Zafer Ergin (Rıza Soylu), Özgür Ozan (Hüsnü Çoban), Kerimhan Duman (Tunç Güneri), Şevket Çoruh (Mesut Güneri), Onur Bay (Tekin Çoban), Alp Korkmaz (Ali Akdoğan).
Is Back Streets based on a true story?
The series has not been verified as being based on a specific real event or person. In a 2025 Kanal D report, actress Felicia Sağnak said that the stories continue to draw on real life and events that resonate in society. This does not establish a direct adaptation of a particular case.
What is Arka Sokaklar called in English?
Arka Sokaklar was distributed internationally as "Back Streets".
Did Hüsnü Çoban (Özgür Ozan) die in Arka Sokaklar — did the actor leave the show?
Hüsnü Çoban, a long-standing member of the show's cast, was shot three times by a character named Ali in episode 720 and was taken to hospital; the character was shown dead in the trailer for the following episode. Neither the production nor Kanal D made a clear statement on the matter, and no official farewell announcement was shared for Özgür Ozan — as a result, the character's definitive fate and whether the actor had actually left the show remained unclear for some time.
Why did Rıza Baba (Zafer Ergin) leave Arka Sokaklar?
Zafer Ergin, who had portrayed Rıza Baba for 17 years since 2006, departed from the series following a lengthy hiatus that had been requested by producer Türker İnanoğlu (Erler Film) and had subsequently been extended. The production stated that "cast members who find other work may leave, and if the series returns it can continue with new actors"; following this, Zafer Ergin terminated his 17-year contract and turned his attention to evaluating new projects. The actor did not make any official statement regarding the reasons for his departure.
Sources
- Hikâye ve Künye - Arka Sokaklar — Kanal D
- Back Streets - Kanal D International — Kanal D International
- Arka Sokaklar Konusu Nedir? — Onedio
- Arka Sokaklar’dan Kapadokya çıkarması — Kanal D
- Arka Sokaklar ekibi başarılarının sırlarını anlattı — Kanal D
- 2011-2012 Yayın Döneminde Kanal D’de Yayınlanan Diziler — Marmara Üniversitesi Katalogu
- Arka Sokaklar ekibi başarılarının sırlarını anlattı — Kanal D