Ömer Series Cast: A Comprehensive Guide to Star TV's Turkish Adaptation of 'Shtisel'
Introduction
"Ömer," the highly anticipated Turkish adaptation of the acclaimed Israeli series "Shtisel," has generated significant buzz in the Turkish television landscape. This Star TV drama explores the lives of a traditional Hasidic Jewish family in Istanbul, promising viewers a poignant and emotionally resonant narrative that delves into cultural traditions, family dynamics, and personal struggles.
The series brings together some of Turkey's most talented actors, creating a stellar ensemble that promises to breathe life into this culturally rich story. From established veterans to rising stars, the carefully selected cast combines experience and fresh talent to portray the complex characters that made the original "Shtisel" an international success.
Main Cast
Selahattin Paşalı as Muezzin Ömer (Male Lead)
Personal Background:
- Born: February 2, 1990, in Muğla, Turkey
- Age: 32 years old
- Height: 185 cm
- Weight: 76 kg
- Marital Status: Married to Lara Tümer
Professional Background: Before pursuing acting, Selahattin Paşalı was a professional basketball player. His transition to acting began when he joined the prestigious "Craft Acting Workshop," which helped him develop his skills and prepare for screen roles.
Notable Previous Works:
- "Heartbeat" (as Alp) - His first major acting role
- "Bir Umut Yeter"
- "Leke"
- "Aşk 101" (Love 101)
- "Pera Palas'ta Gece Yarısı" (Midnight at the Pera Palace)
Character in "Ömer": Paşalı portrays the titular character Muezzin Ömer, a devout Muslim man serving as a muezzin (the person who calls Muslims to prayer). His character forms the emotional core of the series, navigating between religious duties and personal desires, particularly as he develops a relationship with Gamze.
Gökçe Bahadır as Gamze (Female Lead)
Personal Background:
- Born: November 9, 1981, in Istanbul, Turkey
- Height: 170 cm
- Education: Acting, Müjdat Gezen Art Center
- Marital Status: Married to musician Emir Ersoy (2022)
Professional Background: Before achieving fame as an actress, Gökçe Bahadır worked as a radio presenter during her student years, developing her communication skills before transitioning fully to acting.
Notable Previous Works:
- "Hayat Bilgisi" (Life Knowledge) - Her breakout role
- "Evli ve Öfkeli" (Everything About Marriage)
- "Ufak Tefek Cinayetler" (Small Murders)
- "Aramızda Kalsın" (Search My Manager)
- "Yaprak Dökümü" (Falling Leaves)
Character in "Ömer": Gökçe Bahadır portrays Gamze, Muezzin Ömer's love interest. Despite being older than Ömer, their relationship becomes a central storyline in the series, exploring the tensions between religious tradition and personal desire. Gamze is also a mother to a son named Tuna.
Merve Dizdar as Emine
Personal Background:
- Born: June 25, 1986, in Izmir, Turkey
- Age: 36 years old
- Height: 167 cm
- Weight: 54 kg
- Education: Theater Department, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University
- Marital Status: Married to Gürhan Altundaşar
Notable Previous Works:
- "Masumlar Apartmanı" (Innocent Apartments) - as Gülben, her breakthrough role
- "Vatanım Sensin" (My Homeland Is You)
- "Mucize Doktor" (Miracle Doctor)
- "Eltilerin Savaşı" (War of the Sisters-in-Law)
Character in "Ömer": Merve Dizdar plays Emine, Ömer's sister. Her character represents a more progressive outlook within the family, having married Hakan without her father's consent, creating tension within the traditional family structure.
Barış Falay as Mosque Teacher Reşat
Personal Background:
- Born: April 9, 1972, in Balıkesir, Turkey
- Height: 176 cm
- Education: Ankara University, Faculty of Language, History, and Geography, Department of Theater
- Marital Status: Married to Esra Ronabar
Professional Background: Barış Falay built his career through years of work in state theaters, serving as both an actor and director in Ankara and Kocaeli State Theaters before transitioning to television.
Notable Previous Works:
- "Aramızda Kalsın" (Search My Manager)
- "Medcezir" (Tide)
- "Ezel"
- "Paramparça" (Shattered)
Character in "Ömer": In "Ömer," Barış Falay plays Mosque Teacher Reşat, who serves as both Imam and father to Ömer and Emine. His character embodies traditional religious values and faces the challenge of balancing his role as a spiritual leader with his duties as a father.
Supporting Cast
Muharrem Türkseven as Sadik
Personal Background:
- Born: May 26, 1989, in Çanakkale, Turkey
- Height: 176 cm
- Education: Istanbul University, Faculty of Literature, Department of Art History
Notable Previous Works:
- "Kurtlar Vadisi Pusu" (Valley of the Wolves: Ambush, 2008) - His acting debut
- "Mahkum" (Prisoner) - Recent Fox TV series
Character in "Ömer": Muharrem Türkseven portrays the character of Damat Sadık (Son-in-law Sadık), though his specific relationship to the main family has not been fully detailed in the initial cast announcements.
Zerrin Sümer as Nezahat
Personal Background:
- Born: 1945 in Sinop, Turkey
- Career Start: Bergama Public Education Center Theater Group
Notable Previous Works:
- "Züğürt Ağa" (1985) - Classic Turkish film where she worked alongside legends like Şener Şen, Erdal Özyağcılar, and Füsun Demirel
- "Sabit Kanca"
- "Şansımı Seveyim"
- "Hayat Öpücüğü" (Life Kiss)
Character in "Ömer": Veteran actress Zerrin Sümer brings her considerable experience to the role of Nezahet, Reşat's mother and Ömer's grandmother. As the matriarch of the family, her character likely represents the deepest connection to tradition and religious values.
Metehan Parıltı as Tuna
Personal Background:
- Born: November 27, 2010, in Istanbul, Turkey
- Age: 12 years old
Notable Previous Works:
- "Kuzgun" - His acting debut
- "Oğlum" (My Son)
- "Öğretmen" (Teacher)
- "Kadın" (Woman)
Character in "Ömer": Child actor Metehan Parıltı plays Tuna, Gamze's son. His character adds another dimension to the relationship between Ömer and Gamze, as Ömer must not only navigate his feelings for Gamze but also potentially take on a paternal role in the boy's life.
Emre Taşkıran as Hakan
Personal Background:
- Born: August 20, 1989, in Istanbul, Turkey
- Height: 182 cm
- Education: Ankara University, Faculty of Language, History and Geography, Department of Theater
- Acting Career Start: 2014
Notable Previous Works:
- "Kalbime Yazdım" (I Saved You To My Heart)
- "Yeşilçam"
- "Vatanım Sensin" (My Homeland Is You)
- "Gülizar"
- "Tatlı İntikam" (Sweet Revenge)
Character in "Ömer": Emre Taşkıran portrays Hakan, Emine's husband. Their marriage, which took place without her father Reşat's consent, represents the tension between traditional values and modern choices within the family dynamic.
Melike Güner as Çiçek
Personal Background:
- Born: June 2, 1979, in Istanbul, Turkey
- Education: Istanbul University State Conservatory Theater Department
- Awards: Most Successful Actress of the Year, 21st Sadri Alışık Theater and Cinema Actor Awards
Notable Previous Works:
- "İncir Reçeli" (Fig Jam) - Film that brought her recognition
- "Doktorlar" (Doctors) - TV series that elevated her career
Character in "Ömer": Melike Güner plays Çiçek, who works in the soup kitchen located beneath the mosque. Her character brings warmth to the series, described as someone who "instills love in everyone with her meals," suggesting her role may involve nurturing relationships within the community through food and care.
Series Overview
"Ömer" represents an ambitious cultural adaptation, taking the framework of the Israeli hit "Shtisel" and transposing it into a Turkish Muslim context. While the original series focused on an ultra-Orthodox Jewish family in Jerusalem, the Turkish adaptation explores similar themes of tradition, faith, and personal desire through the lens of a devout Muslim family in Istanbul.
The series promises to maintain the intimate, character-driven storytelling that made "Shtisel" an international success while creating a uniquely Turkish interpretation that resonates with local audiences. By assembling this talented ensemble cast, Star TV demonstrates its commitment to quality storytelling and authentic character portrayals.
As viewers follow the story of Muezzin Ömer, his forbidden love for Gamze, his relationship with his traditional father Reşat, and the various family dynamics at play, they will witness a thoughtful exploration of how religious traditions and personal desires intersect in contemporary Turkish society.
The premiere date for "Ömer" has generated significant anticipation among Turkish television audiences, with many eager to see how this acclaimed story translates to their cultural context and how this stellar cast brings these complex characters to life.