Carter Reed

Inspired by the novel by Tijan. Emma killed a mafia prince to save her best friend, and now the city wants her dead. There’s only one place left to turn: Carter Reed - the most feared man in the city and the man her dying brother trusted with her life. Carter promised to protect her from monsters, even from himself. But the more time she spends under his protection, the more Emma realizes she’s falling for a monster. And the more Carter wants the one woman he swore to never touch. Will they give in, or will their enemies catch them first?

Carter Reed short-drama poster
Episodes65 eps FormatGlobal live action Year2026
TypeGlobal live action
Episodes65
RegionGlobal
Year2026
Signal3.6M

Genres and tropes

Story guide

See the main plot, character relationships, and setting before deciding whether this drama is for you.

The story in one line

After Emma kills a mafia prince to save her friend, she turns to feared crime boss Carter Reed, the man her late brother trusted to protect her, and discovers safety comes with dangerous intimacy.

Explore the full story Characters, world, and episode guide

Setting and world

A city controlled by organized-crime hierarchies, moving from an ordinary diner crime scene into Carter's fortified sphere of influence.

Narrative framework

Across 65 episodes, a self-defense killing triggers a citywide pursuit. Carter erases evidence and builds protection around Emma, while the thriller pressure and a promise to her brother make their growing attraction both refuge and risk.

Main character relationships

Swipe to explore
Emma Martins The waitress forced into the criminal underworld
Character

AJ's younger sister, Mallory's protector, and Carter's responsibility

Emma acts to save Mallory, then must survive consequences far beyond the single violent moment she never expected to face.

Carter Reed The feared protector at the top of the hierarchy
Character

Trusted by Emma's late brother and forbidden from wanting her

Carter can shield Emma from the city's monsters because he commands the same world, making his protection inseparable from danger.

Mallory The friend Emma saves
Character

Emma's friend and co-worker at the diner

The attack on Mallory creates the moral choice that pushes Emma across the boundary into Carter's world.

Jeremy Bertal The mafia heir whose death starts the hunt
Character

Attacks Mallory and becomes Emma's unintended victim

Jeremy's status converts one defensive act into a threat from an entire criminal network.

Core story elements

Mafia retaliation

A death inside the hierarchy mobilizes the city against Emma.

Protection pact

Carter's promise to AJ determines why Emma receives extraordinary protection.

Forbidden attraction

Desire conflicts with Carter's duty and his knowledge of what his world can do to Emma.

Evidence and control

Survival depends on who can erase, redirect, or weaponize the traces of the diner killing.

Carter Reed cast and actors

Known titles, pinyin, and aliases

SceneTrace title
Carter Reed
Chinese title
卡特·里德

FAQ

Where can I watch Carter Reed, and how much does the available player cover?

Official listings include ReelShort.

How many episodes does Carter Reed have?

Carter Reed is listed with 65 episodes.

What is the central conflict in Carter Reed?

After Emma kills a mafia prince to save her friend, she turns to feared crime boss Carter Reed, the man her late brother trusted to protect her, and discovers safety comes with dangerous intimacy.

How are Emma Martins and Carter Reed connected in Carter Reed?

Emma Martins (The waitress forced into the criminal underworld): AJ's younger sister, Mallory's protector, and Carter's responsibility. Carter Reed (The feared protector at the top of the hierarchy): Trusted by Emma's late brother and forbidden from wanting her. Mallory (The friend Emma saves): Emma's friend and co-worker at the diner.

Which alternate titles can help when searching for Carter Reed?

Other useful title forms are 卡特·里德.

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