Who is Çağatay Ulusoy?
- Full Name: Çağatay Ulusoy (Internationally searched as Cagatay Ulusoy)
- Date of Birth: September 23, 1990
- Place of Birth: Bakırköy, Istanbul, Turkey
- Height: 1.90 m (approx. 6′ 3″)
- Profession: Actor, Model
- Active Years: 2010 – Present
- Education: Istanbul University, Faculty of Forestry (Department of Landscape Architecture, Irrigation Systems); Acting training in the USA; Acting classes from Ayla Algan; Akademi 35 Buçuk.
Cagatay Ulusoy’s Family and Childhood
Cagatay Ulusoy’s mother, Refiye Ulusoy, is of Bosniak descent. His father is from a family of Turkish descent that emigrated from Bulgaria to Turkey when he was 10 years old.
Born on September 23, 1990, in Bakırköy, Istanbul, Cagatay Ulusoy spent his childhood and youth in Halkalı. From a young age, he was interested in sports, especially basketball.
Sibling
Cagatay Ulusoy has one brother, Atalay Ulusoy, who is eight years younger.
Childhood and Youth
Ulusoy grew up in the Küçükçekmece district of Istanbul. With a very energetic personality as a child, he was guided towards sports by his family at an early age. He dreamed of playing basketball professionally for nine years and was also proficient in swimming and diving.
Education
He graduated from Avcılar High School. He enrolled at Istanbul University’s Faculty of Forestry in the Department of Landscape Architecture (specializing in Irrigation Systems) but paused his studies to focus on his acting career. He later took acting classes in the United States.
Family’s Influence on His Career
Growing up in a family with diverse cultural backgrounds (Bosniak and Bulgarian-Turkish) shaped Cagatay Ulusoy’s artistic perspective and acting abilities. This cultural diversity enhanced his sensitivity and has been a positive influence on his career.
Cagatay Ulusoy’s Career Beginnings and Rise
Cagatay Ulusoy began his modeling career by winning the Best Model of Turkey competition in 2010, after which he represented Turkey in Bulgaria. He then stepped into acting, getting his first major breakthrough in 2011 as Emir Sarrafoğlu in the series “Adını Feriha Koydum.” This role made him a household name.
That same year, he made his film debut as Lieutenant Ahmet Onur in “Anadolu Kartalları” (Anatolian Eagles). He further solidified his popularity as Yaman Koper in the series “Medcezir.” He gained international recognition as the lead in Netflix’s first Turkish original series, “Hakan: Muhafız” (The Protector). He has also starred in major projects like “İçerde” (Inside), “Terzi” (The Tailor), and “Gaddar” (No Mercy).
Cagatay Ulusoy’s Latest Projects
Recent Television Series:
- Eşref Rüya (Esref Ruya) (2025): He stars as the character Eşref Tek.
- Eşref Tek Character Profile:
- Eşref was orphaned at a young age and consequently pushed into the criminal underworld.
- Over the years, he has become one of the leading figures in the underworld.
- He is a character who bears heavy responsibilities.
- He protects other orphans, who have become a surrogate family for the one he lost.
- He is a character searching for love.
- Despite his power in the underworld, Eşref is drawn into an unpredictable new life.
- The character is described as fearless, powerful, and wealthy, yet a captive of a love he can’t name.
- Role in the Story:
- Eşref’s life is completely transformed when he falls in love with Nisan.
- The series focuses on Eşref’s struggle to navigate this complex world and his love story.
- Series Information:
- Network: Kanal D
- Production: Tims&B Productions
- Director: Uluç Bayraktar
- Screenwriter: Ethem Özışık
- Main Cast: Çağatay Ulusoy and Demet Özdemir
- Eşref Tek Character Profile:
- Kübra (Kubra) (2024): He returned to screens in 2024 with this Netflix series, playing the role of Gökhan Şahinoğlu.
- Gaddar (No Mercy) (2024): He starred as Dağhan Yalçın in this series broadcast on FOX/NOW.
Recent Films:
- Kağıttan Hayatlar (Paper Lives) (2021): He starred as Mehmet in this Netflix original film.
Cagatay Ulusoy: TV Series Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
| 2025 | Eşref Rüya | Eşref Tek |
| 2024 | Gaddar | Dağhan Yalçın |
| 2024 | Kübra | Gökhan Şahinoğlu |
| 2023 | Terzi (The Tailor) | Peyami Dokumacı |
| 2021 | Yeşilçam | Semih Ateş |
| 2018-2020 | Hakan: Muhafız (The Protector) | Hakan Demir |
| 2016-2017 | İçerde (Inside) | Sarp Yılmaz |
| 2013-2015 | Medcezir | Yaman Koper |
| 2011-2012 | Adını Feriha Koydum | Emir Sarrafoğlu |
Cagatay Ulusoy: Movie Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
| 2025 | Uykucu | |
| 2021 | Kağıttan Hayatlar (Paper Lives) | Mehmet |
| 2015 | Delibal | Barış Ayaz |
| 2011 | Anadolu Kartalları (Anatolian Eagles) | Ahmet Onur |
E-Tablolar’a aktar
Commercials and Voice Work
| Year | Project |
| 2016 | Colin’s – “Bize Uyar” Commercial |
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Project | Result |
| 2010 | Best Model of Turkey | – | – | Won |
| 2014 | Golden Butterfly Awards | Best Actor | Medcezir | Won |
| 2015 | 42nd Golden Butterfly Awards | Best Actor | Medcezir | Won |
| 2018 | GQ Moty by Clear Awards | Best Internet Series Actor | Hakan: Muhafız | Won |
| 2023 | 49th Golden Butterfly Awards | Best Actor | Terzi | Nominated |
Critical and Fan Reception
The series “Gaddar” received significant praise for both its script and Ulusoy’s performance. His portrayal of “Yaman Koper” in “Medcezir” turned him into a television icon, and his on-screen chemistry with Serenay Sarıkaya cemented the show’s success. Critics and fans alike note that he has built a vast fanbase through his talent and charisma. He is often described as one of those actors who makes viewers stop changing the channel. He continues to captivate audiences with his charismatic portrayal of Eşref Tek in “Eşref Rüya.”
Personal Life and Media Presence
Cagatay Ulusoy prefers to maintain a clear boundary to protect his private life. Throughout his career, his love life has been a subject of intense curiosity. His relationship with Serenay Sarıkaya, which began on the set of “Medcezir,” was highly publicized. He also had a long-term, 5-year relationship with Duygu Sarışın.
He is currently in a relationship with fellow actor Aslıhan Malbora. In an interview, Malbora stated that love makes her feel both her “strongest and most fragile” self.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Cagatay Ulusoy
Which of Cagatay Ulusoy’s series are on Netflix? You can watch “Hakan: Muhafız” (The Protector), “Terzi” (The Tailor), and “Kübra” on Netflix.
Who is Cagatay Ulusoy? Cagatay Ulusoy is a Turkish actor and model born on September 23, 1990. He rose to fame with “Adını Feriha Koydum” and gained international acclaim with series like “İçerde,” “Hakan: Muhafız (The Protector),” and “Terzi (The Tailor).”
Where is Cagatay Ulusoy from? He was born in Istanbul, Turkey. His family has Bosniak and Bulgarian immigrant roots.
What is Cagatay Ulusoy’s height and weight? Cagatay Ulusoy is approximately 1.90 meters (6′ 3″) tall. His weight is around 85 kg (187 lbs), though it fluctuates based on his roles.
Who is Cagatay Ulusoy’s girlfriend? He is currently in a relationship with actor Aslıhan Malbora.
Is Cagatay Ulusoy married? No, Cagatay Ulusoy is not married.
What is Cagatay Ulusoy’s latest series? His latest series include “Gaddar” (2024), “Kübra” (2024), and the upcoming “Eşref Rüya” (2025).
What was his first TV series? His first major TV series was “Adını Feriha Koydum” (2011).
Who are Cagatay Ulusoy’s family? His mother’s name is Refiye Ulusoy, and his brother’s name is Atalay Ulusoy. His father is a Bulgarian immigrant of Turkish descent.
What are his most popular TV series? “Medcezir” and “İçerde” are considered two of his most impactful and popular series in Turkey.
What are Cagatay Ulusoy’s hobbies? His hobbies include fishing, hiking, sports, and playing the guitar.
What was his childhood dream? He was initially interested in sports and dreamed of becoming a professional basketball player.
What is his most-watched movie? The Netflix film “Kağıttan Hayatlar” (Paper Lives) is one of his most-watched films.
Is Cagatay Ulusoy musical? Yes, he plays the guitar and also sang songs for the soundtrack of his film “Delibal.”
How old is Cagatay Ulusoy? Born on September 23, 1990, Cagatay Ulusoy is 35 years old as of 2025.
How many siblings does he have? He has one younger brother, Atalay Ulusoy.
Why did Cagatay Ulusoy and Serenay Sarikaya break up? While there was no official statement, it is believed that the end of their series “Medcezir,” combined with intense work schedules and differing career paths, played a role in their separation.
