Engin Akyurek

Biography

Engin Akyürek is a Turkish actor, screenwriter and author, known worldwide as Kerim Ilgaz in Fatmagül’ün Suçu Ne?, Ömer Demir in Kara Para Aşk and Sancar in Sefirin Kızı. He was born on 12 October 1981 in Ankara; his family is from Tercan, Erzincan.

Early life

Akyürek never studied acting formally. He graduated from the history department of Ankara University in 2002, then won the TV acting contest Türkiye’nin Yıldızları in 2004, where Beren Saat was also discovered.

Career

His first leading role was Mustafa Bulut in Bir Bulut Olsam (2009), which drew wide attention. He then starred opposite Beren Saat as Kerim in Fatmagül’ün Suçu Ne? (2010–2012), one of the most exported Turkish dramas ever.

As Ömer in Kara Para Aşk (2014) he won Best Actor at the Seoul International Drama Awards (2015) and received an International Emmy nomination. He later starred as Sancar in Sefirin Kızı (2019–2021), and in the Disney+ series Kaçış (Escape) and the drama Yolun Açık Olsun for Netflix.

On the big screen he debuted as Cevat in Zeki Demirkubuz’s Kader and played Tekin in Kerem Deren’s romantic comedy Bi Küçük Eylül Meselesi.

Writer

Akyürek is also a published author; his books include Sessiz ve Derin and Zamansız. He is a brand ambassador for Shell and Disney+ Türkiye.

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