As you probably know, time's up for
Elif this Tuesday 25 February when it ends after a four and a half year run on eExtra.
Up next, starting the day after at 18h30: Gelukbringers. Lucky charms, also known as Hold My Hand and Don't Let Go of My Hand.
Whose hand gets held and why?
Here's a who's who of the lead characters, actors and Afrikaans voiceover artists who've dubbed the series - which gives insight into the story too:
Azra Günes
Played by: Alina Boz
Voiced by: Margo Kotze
Azra is a talented and beautiful young woman who studies gastronomy abroad. On her flight to Istanbul, she meets Cenk in a very unpleasant situation and their luggage gets switched.
The same night her life turns upside down.
Her stepmother tells Azra that her father is about to go bankrupt. The following day, her father dies mysteriously and Azra falls apart.
While still mourning for her father, Azra’s evil stepmother Sumru takes all of the money for herself and leaves Azra and her autistic brother Mert with no place to live.
Feeling that things can’t get any worse, Azra hits rock bottom when Mert goes missing.
And then she holds Cenk’s hands. He becomes her light in her darkest days.
Following her meeting with Mrs Feride, Azra steps into a chapter in her life story.
Cenk Celen
Played by: Alp Navruz
Voiced by: Wilhelm van der Walt
As the snob and handsome grandson of the wealthy Celen family, Cenk always behaves as a selfish young man.
However, feeling guilty for the death of his father, Cenk is actually very compassionate deep inside.
After he is expelled from college in America, he gets back to Istanbul.
During this flight, he meets Azra and their luggage gets switched.
Having no intention of taking over the family business, Cenk constantly argues his grandmother Mrs Feride who wants to entrust the food company to Cenk.
But, Azra’s arrival into Celen family, will not only shake all the members of the family but will also awaken the compassionate personality inside of Cenk.
Mrs Feride Celen
Played by: Seray Gözler
Voiced by: Susanne Beyers
Owner of a large food company, Mrs Feride’s biggest dream is to hand over the management of the company to her grandson Cenk.
However, finding out that Cenk has been expelled from college and is reluctant to continue the family business, she feels disappointed.
One day she encounters an accident and receives help from Azra.
Mrs Feride is very touched by her mercy and brings Azra home awhere she announces to everyone that she's appointing Azra as the new heiress of the food company.
Sumru Günes
Played by: Dolunay Soysert
Voiced by: Margit Meyer-Rödenbeck
Sumru is Azra and Mert's evil stepmother. She also has an adopted daughter named Cansu.
Sumru is a very greedy, brutal character. She grew up as a poor girl and will do anything to gain more money.
She even abuses Cansu in her evil plans for money. Once she finds out that her husband is about to go bankrupt, she becomes a totally different person.
The moment her husband dies, Sumru takes all of his insurance money for herself and leaves Azra and Mert out at the streets.
She also makes a plan to marry Cansu to Cenk.
Tarik
Played by: Batuhan Eksi
Voiced by: Hendri Mouton
Tarik is a very good-looking young man who owns a modern restaurant in Istanbul.
His father has worked at Mrs Feride’s food company for many years and ants Tarik to become the manager to replace Cenk who is supposed to be the heir of the company.
However, Tarik is very satisfied with his restaurant and has no intention of working for Mrs Feride or fulfilling his father’s dreams.
Contrarily, he has a new dream now. His dream is to win Azra’s heart.
Having met her in a coincidence, their paths cross very often since Cenk and Tarik are pretty close friends.
Although he rejected his father’s offer to replace Cenk at the company, now Tarik has to compete with Cenk to hold a place in Azra’s heart.
Cansu Kara
Played by: Cemre Gümeli
Voiced by: Meggan-Lee Johnstone
Cansu is Sumru’s adopted daughter. Although she likes power just like Sumru does, Cansu is more of a polite and caring girl.
Their separation from Azra and Mert due to bankruptcy and death makes her feel sorry for her siblings but she can’t help them out since she is afraid of her mom.
Cansu has been friends with Cenk for a long time and she is desperately in love with him.
She is aware that Cenk only sees her as a friend but her heart won't listen.
Things will get more complicated once Cansu finds out about the relationship between Cenk and Azra.
Lookout for the first teasers, comin' up soon.