The wait for one of the most ambitious Turkish productions of the year is finally over. Netflix has released The Museum of Innocence, a nine-episode limited series adaptation of Nobel Prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk’s globally celebrated novel. The series debuted on the streaming platform on February 13, 2026, bringing a story of love, obsession, and heartbreak to screens worldwide .
Set in the 1970s in Istanbul, the show follows the tumultuous relationship between Kemal, the son of a wealthy family, and his distant relative Füsun, a shopgirl from a modest background. The narrative explores how a passionate affair spirals into a lifelong obsession, with Kemal collecting objects that remind him of his lost love .
Bringing this emotionally charged story to life required a cast capable of handling the intense drama. Here is a detailed look at the actors who portray the key characters in this heartbreaking tale.
The Lead Stars of The Museum of Innocence
Selahattin Paşalı as Kemal
Selahattin Paşalı takes on the challenging role of Kemal, a man whose life is derailed by his obsessive love. Paşalı is no stranger to Netflix audiences. He is widely recognized for his performances in popular Turkish series such as Love 101 (Aşk 101) and the medical drama Another Self . In The Museum of Innocence, he portrays Kemal’s journey from a privileged socialite engaged to a suitable woman, to a man consumed by longing for Füsun. His character’s descent into collecting mementos—from earrings to cigarette butts—forms the core of the story .
Eylül Lize Kandemir as Füsun
Opposite Paşalı is Eylül Lize Kandemir, who plays Füsun, the object of Kemal’s affection. Füsun is described as a beautiful but poor distant relative whose disappearance triggers Kemal’s decades-long obsession . Kandemir, who has made a name for herself in Turkish television dramas, brings depth to a character who is both the catalyst for the story and a figure of tragic circumstance. Her performance captures the innocence and the heartbreak of a woman caught between social classes and forbidden emotions .
The Supporting Cast and Their Characters
The world of The Museum of Innocence is filled with family members, friends, and societal figures who shape the destiny of the two lovers. The supporting cast features some of Turkey’s most respected actors .
Oya Unustası as Sibel
Oya Unustası plays Sibel, Kemal’s fiancée. She represents the life Kemal is supposed to have: a stable, socially acceptable marriage with someone from his own class. Sibel’s presence in the story highlights the conflict between duty and passion. Unustası is known for her roles in historical dramas like Vatanım Sensin (Wounded Love) .
Tilbe Saran as Vecihe
Veteran actress Tilbe Saran portrays Vecihe, Füsun’s mother. Saran is an iconic figure in Turkish theatre and television, with credits in acclaimed series such as Avlu (The Yard) . Her character is central to the household that Kemal becomes fixated on after Füsun disappears.
Bülent Emin Yarar as Mümtaz
Bülent Emin Yarar takes on the role of Mümtaz, Füsun’s father. Yarar is a familiar face to Turkish drama fans, having appeared in emotionally complex series like Masumlar Apartmanı (The Innocents) .
Ercan Kesal as Tarik Bey
Ercan Kesal, a highly acclaimed actor and filmmaker, appears as Tarik Bey. Kesal is known for his collaborations with director Nuri Bilge Ceylan and brings significant gravitas to the series.
Other Notable Cast Members
The production by Ay Yapım, the powerhouse behind international hits like Endless Love and Fatmagül, features a deep bench of talent . The full cast list includes:
- Gülçin Kültür Şahin
- Hasan Erdem as Çetin Efendi
- Zeynep Dinsel as Berrin
- Tolga İskit as Osman
- Onur Ünsal as Zaim
- Jessica Taşçı
- Enes Danış
- Eren Kabatepe
- Aybike Turan
- Tayfun Gül
- Cem Bayurgil
- Tugay Erdoğan
- Ahmet Yalçın
- İskender Bağcılar
- Neslihan Arslan
- Bora Akın
- Cansel Elçin
Who Is Behind the Series?
The Museum of Innocence is directed by Zeynep Günay and written by Ertan Kurtulan . The series is produced by Kerem Çatay for Ay Yapım, a studio renowned for producing some of Turkey’s most successful exports . The fact that Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk is credited as the writer of the source material adds a layer of literary prestige to the project .
What Is The Museum of Innocence About?
For those unfamiliar with the story, the plot centers on Kemal, who is engaged to the sophisticated Sibel. His life takes an unexpected turn when he reignites a connection with Füsun, a younger distant relative. Their brief, intense affair ends when Füsun vanishes. Unable to move on, Kemal spends years trying to win her back. As time passes, he begins collecting objects that belonged to her, transforming his longing into a physical collection that eventually becomes a museum dedicated to their love .
“Kemal, who is willing to take on the whole world for the sake of his feelings, starts collecting his beloved’s earrings, her hair clips, and even her discarded cigarette butts…”
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Where to Watch The Museum of Innocence
All nine episodes of The Museum of Innocence are available for streaming exclusively on Netflix .
- United States: Available on Netflix with subtitles or dubbed options.
- United Kingdom: Streaming on Netflix.
- Canada: Available on the platform.
- Australia: Ready to watch on Netflix.
- India: Streaming in multiple languages on Netflix.
- Global: Available worldwide on Netflix starting February 13, 2026 .
The series arrived just in time for a Valentine’s Day weekend release, offering viewers a deep, and often painful, look at the nature of love and memory .
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