In The Affair, the audience is introduced to Ozan (played by Firat Celik), a writer and teacher who appears to lead a content life with his wife, Beril (Defne Kayalar), and their four children. Ozan and Beril's relationship began during their university days and flourished into a marriage, becoming a foundation for Ozan's dedication to his family. Raised by a single parent after his mother's untimely death during high school, Ozan values his role as a devoted husband and father.
However, beneath the façade of happiness lies Ozan's longing for independence and creative freedom. He enjoys the trappings of wealth, thanks to his in-laws, yet the dependency on them weighs on his spirit. The responsibilities of his family sometimes hinder his ability to focus on his writing, leaving him yearning for personal space and the chance to complete his second book.
As the family embarks on a summer holiday in a coastal town, Ozan's encounter with Asli (Hazar Erguclu), a local waitress, initiates a whirlwind of emotions. Asli is a young woman grappling with the loss of her four-year-old son, trying to rebuild her life alongside her husband, Volkan (Ahmet Rifat Sungar). Asli works at a local restaurant, while Volkan is employed at a horse farm owned by his family.