Who is Gizem Kala? The question of who Gizem Kala is, one of the rising stars of the recent period, came to the agenda again with her joining the cast of Kanal D’s rating record-breaking series Eşref Rüya with the character “Ayten”. The successful actress was widely recognized especially with the role of Defne in the TV series Kirli Sepeti.
Born on April 26, 1993, in Istanbul, Gizem Kala started her art education with an academic foundation. She successfully graduated from Kadir Has University Conservatory Theater Department and learned the intricacies of the craft of acting. Kala, who first stepped into her career with commercial films, soon became one of the sought-after names in television and cinema projects.
Family and Childhood Years Born and raised in Istanbul, Gizem Kala prefers to keep her private life and family life away from the media. Therefore, there is no verified information reflected to the public about the actress’s mother, father, or siblings.
Career Beginning and Development Gizem Kala stepped into her on-camera career in 2016 with the role of “Agency Employee” in the movie Görümce after her conservatory education. She had her first important experiences on television in 2017 with the character “Zarife” in the series Muhteşem Yüzyıl: Kösem and “Ayşe Soysür” in the series Ölene Kadar. These high-profile productions allowed her to be recognized in the sector and receive new offers.
Achievements and Turning Points Kala’s rise in her career continued with the increase in the diversity and weight of the roles she took. She attracted attention with her roles as “Nehir” in the series Babil in 2020 and “Ecem” in the series Maraşlı in 2021. Between 2021-2022, she took part in a historical project by giving life to the character “Gökçe Hatun” in the series Kuruluş: Osman.
However, one of the most important turning points in Gizem Kala’s career is the series Kirli Sepeti, in which she starred in the 2023-2024 season. The character “Defne Ersen” she played in this series enabled her to prove her acting talent to large audiences and increased her popularity.
Acting Style and Influences Bearing the traces of her academic education, Gizem Kala is a versatile actress who can handle both dramatic and comedy roles. In addition to her performance in dramas such as Kirli Sepeti and Babil, she also showed her success in comedy timing with the characters “Savanna” and “Zeynep” she played in the cult internet series Gibi.
Recent Projects Gizem Kala joined the cast of Kanal D’s popular series Eşref Rüya in the 2024-2025 television season. In the series, she gives life to the character Ayten, the “great love” of the character Faruk Sezeri, played by Ahmet Rıfat Şungar, whom he cannot forget even though she betrayed him. Ayten’s entry into the story started a new and critical period in the main narrative of the series.
TV Series
Internet Projects
Cinema Movies
Theater Plays
Commercials The successful actress has also been the face of many important brands throughout her career. Among the commercials Gizem Kala starred in are big brands such as Vodafone, Anadolu Hayat Emeklilik, Ülker Çikolatalı Gofret, and Disney Plus.
Private Life Gizem Kala is one of the names who prefer to keep her career at the forefront and live her private life away from the cameras. There is no verified information reflected in the media about whether the actress, who actively uses social media (Instagram: @gizemkalaa), has a husband or boyfriend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet Nisan: The Musician with a Secret In the series, Özdemir plays Nisan, a talented musician whose melodies pierce the dark armor of mafia boss Eşref Tek. But Nisan is not just a love interest; sources suggest a dangerous twist—she might be a police informant embedded in Eşref’s world. Drawing on her real-life musicality (having started her career as a dancer for pop stars), Demet has reportedly taken vocal lessons to perform her own songs in the series, adding an authentic layer to the character.
The Woman Behind the Star Born in Kocaeli to a family of Bulgarian immigrants, Demet’s rise was fueled by sheer grit. “If it were up to my mom, I’d be a lawyer,” she once joked. Instead, she followed her passion for dance and acting. Known for her emotional depth and Pisces sensitivity, she admits to being a homebody who values sleep over parties. Currently single after her 2023 divorce, she channels all her energy into her craft, stating, “I act not for fame, but for the connection with people.”
]]>Ebrar Karabakan was born in Istanbul in 2004. While there is no public information about her family’s origins, she continues to reside in Istanbul.
Ebrar Karabakan began her career as a social media influencer, gaining widespread recognition and a large follower base through her posts on TikTok and Instagram. In 2023, she transitioned into acting. Her first project was the TRT 1 series “Benim Güzel Ailem” (My Beautiful Family), where she played the character Tuğçe.
After drawing attention with her debut performance, she appeared in the 2024 series “Taş Kağıt Makas” (Rock Paper Scissors) as Büşra Korkmaz and “Karadut” (Black Mulberry) as Begüm Erdem.
Her career, which started on social media, has seen a rapid rise in the acting world through her roles in successful TV projects. She has garnered praise for her performances in popular series like “Karadut,” “Taş Kağıt Makas,” and “Eşref Rüya.” Today, her primary source of fame is her successful work as a television and film actress.
As a young actress, Ebrar Karabakan has stated that she tries to empathize with the characters she plays and understand them on a deep level. In an interview with “Episode Magazine,” she mentioned that the drama her character Begüm experienced in “Karadut” and her stance against the events were the biggest factors in her accepting the role. This approach indicates her adoption of a character-focused and emotionally deep acting style.
Ebrar Karabakan’s latest project is the series “Eşref Rüya,” which premiered on Kanal D on March 19, 2025. In the series, she plays the character “Afra Akyol,” whose life has become a topic of great curiosity among viewers.
Ebrar Karabakan has not yet appeared in any feature films.
There is no information regarding any theatre plays Ebrar Karabakan has participated in.
The popular actress also appears in commercials on social media and various other platforms.
Research indicates that Ebrar Karabakan has not received any awards or nominations to date.
Despite being new to the acting scene, Ebrar Karabakan has earned praise for her performances, especially in series like “Karadut,” “Taş Kağıt Makas,” and “Eşref Rüya.” She is also frequently noted for her beauty as well as her acting talent.
It is not publicly known who Ebrar Karabakan is dating. Although various rumors have circulated, there is no confirmed information. She was recently photographed holding hands with musician Ege Can Sal, but neither party has made a statement on the matter. The incident became a hot topic after Ege Can Sal was seen panicking, letting go of Karabakan’s hand, and hiding his face in a taxi.
The actress, who is currently starring in “Eşref Rüya,” is expected to take part in new projects in the coming period.
]]>Ceren Benderlioğlu was born on October 1, 1983, in the Kadıköy district of Istanbul. Her maiden name is Ceren Şekerci. Her talent for acting was supported by her family, which led her to develop an interest in theatre and television at a young age.
After graduating from Trakya University’s Department of Radio and Television, she stepped into professional acting with the help of Tümay Özokur. In addition to acting, she also worked as a Cast Director for 5 years. She began her television career in 2002 with roles in the series “Aslı ile Kerem” and “Ekmek Teknesi”.
In 2004, she acted in the TRT production “Sahildeki Güneş Bahçesi.” Following this, she portrayed important characters in popular projects such as “Geniş Aile” (Large Family), “Melekler Korusun” (Angels Protect), and “Adanalı”.
One of Benderlioğlu’s most significant turning points was her role as “Ömür Façalı” in the hit series “Eşkıya Dünyaya Hükümdar Olmaz” (EDHO / Bandits Won’t Rule the World). This role earned her a massive fanbase and critical acclaim.
Ceren Benderlioğlu is known for successfully portraying strong, dramatic, and charismatic characters, capturing the audience’s attention with her natural performance and expressive facial expressions.
Irmak Bozok is an intelligent, independent woman who carries major secrets from her past. In the story, she suddenly finds herself right in the middle of Eşref’s (Çağatay Ulusoy) world. With her strong stance, determination, and intelligence, Irmak changes the course of events, eventually becoming both Eşref’s greatest supporter and his greatest test.
Ceren Benderlioğlu married fellow actor Emir Benderlioğlu in 2010. In 2013, they had a daughter named Nur.
In 2025, Ceren Benderlioğlu and her daughter Nur embarked on a European road trip in an electric car. They visited cities in Italy and France, including Monaco, Milan, Genoa, Cannes, and Nice. However, they experienced tense moments during the trip due to heavy fog. The mother-daughter duo also faced the risk of being stranded due to a scarcity of charging stations, sharing their adventurous journey on social media.
In 2025, Benderlioğlu is set to appear in the projects “Eşref Rüya” and “Adsız Aşıklar.”
]]>Born on July 9, 1983, in Kartal, Istanbul, Ahmet Rifat Sungar completed his high school education at Kartal Süleyman Demirel Anatolian High School. His passion for acting guided him to one of Turkey’s most respected arts institutions. He enrolled in the Theatre Department of the Istanbul University State Conservatory, where he learned the nuances of the acting craft. This foundational education established the disciplined and solid presence he brings to the stage and screen.
He reportedly began his acting career in 2002 with a film titled Janjan. He has since appeared in numerous TV series and films. He made his significant breakthrough with the youth series ‘ES-ES’, where he starred alongside Erdal Beşikçioğlu and Leyla Lydia Tuğutlu. He had a challenging academic journey during his conservatory years, completing his degree in seven years.
Ahmet Rifat Sungar took his first professional step into television in 2006 with the series ‘Kaybolan Yıllar’ (Lost Years), which aired on Star TV, where he played the character Mehmet.
Sungar quickly transitioned to cinema. In 2007, Janjan was released, marking his debut film role, where he played the character Yusuf.
In 2008, Sungar captured widespread attention by starring in master director Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s acclaimed film ‘Üç Maymun’ (Three Monkeys). Starring alongside Yavuz Bingöl and Hatice Aslan, his natural performance in the film garnered significant praise. Sungar played the character İsmail.
Thanks to this performance, Sungar won the Best Young Talent Award at the Yeşilçam (Green Pine) Awards. ‘Üç Maymun’ solidified his reputation, earning him an award and significant prestige early in his career.
The talented actor also took a role in the popular period drama ‘Hatırla Sevgili’ (Remember Darling), joining the ATV series for its final 10 episodes as the character Ali (Necdet in some sources).
Tolga Tekin was born on March 19, 1973, in Ankara. He is a Turkish actor known for his work in television, film, and theatre.
He was born and raised in Ankara. His mother was a Bulgarian immigrant and a civil servant, while his father, originally from Kars, was an undersecretary at a ministry. He has one older sister.
“I am the child of a wonderful mother and father. My father was a mining engineer. He was a mathematics genius. He was an undersecretary at the Ministry of Energy and helped pass the Mining Law. Whenever a miner died or there was a collapse, our home would also be filled with sorrow. My father worked hard to bring the conditions of mines and miners up to European standards, but he didn’t receive the recognition he deserved. We lost him at a very young age. He was a very valuable person. He suddenly had a heart attack and was gone. I’ve felt the impact of this throughout my life. I was suddenly confronted with the difficult side of life. I was at the conservatory when I lost my father. On one hand, I was trying to graduate; on the other, I was dealing with this pain. It was a very heavy period. I still live with the fear of losing loved ones. This fear of loss makes me a bit anxious and sensitive towards life. A bit touchy and emotional. After my father passed away, I had to take on the responsibility for my mother and sister. It was a heavy burden. We went through very tough times. But time heals all wounds.”
His dream of becoming an actor began in childhood. At age 4, during family gatherings, he would be put on the table to do Elvis Presley impressions. “As a child, I best expressed myself through impressions, acting out movies I watched for my neighborhood friends. Of course, I wanted to be liked and applauded. In middle school and high school, I was the head of the drama club. When it came time for university, what I definitely wanted was theatre. To satisfy my parents, despite being good at math, I intentionally didn’t focus on Turkish and social studies and instead took the conservatory exams and got into Hacettepe.”
He graduated from the Hacettepe University State Conservatory, Department of Theatre. He passed the exam opened by the State Theatres and began his post at the Adana State Theatre. After working at the Adana State Theatre from 1996 to 2004, he was transferred to the Ankara State Theatre. He continues to work within the Ankara State Theatre.
His television adventure began with the series ‘Bizim Evin Halleri’.
He captured widespread attention with his portrayal of the character ‘Özkan’ in the series ‘Paramparça’ (Broken Pieces).
His manager was instrumental in his move from Ankara to Istanbul. He came to Istanbul to play a role for only two episodes, but his career there became much more long-term.
“‘During ‘Bizim Evin Halleri’, I didn’t have a manager. My plays in Ankara were ongoing. At that time, a series called ‘Kapalıçarşı’ (Grand Bazaar) was going to be filmed. There was a role as a sausage maker (sucukçu) from Kayseri. They called me for an audition. I spent two or three days in Ankara studying the Kayseri dialect and figuring out how this sausage maker should be. When I came to Istanbul, before meeting my current manager, her assistant filmed my audition. When the shoot was over, I heard this sentence: ‘I am just shocked and can’t say anything else.’ The next day, I met Renda Güner. She said it was one of the best auditions she had ever seen in her life. I was supposed to play Sucukçu Mustafa for only two episodes in ‘Kapalıçarşı’, but I ended up being in the entire story. I still haven’t gotten used to this city (Istanbul), and it’s very difficult for me to. First of all, I’m an ‘Ankara child’ (a son of Ankara). I’m used to silence and order. Even relationships—friendships, romantic, and bureaucratic—are so complicated in Istanbul. I still can’t figure it out, and I’m not trying to. Because I’m not used to it. I learned a lot from ‘Muhteşem Yüzyıl’ (Magnificent Century). ‘Kapalıçarşı’ was my first Istanbul series. I saw the environment and gained a completely different experience. In ‘Çıplak Gerçek’ (Naked Truth), I learned a lot from a great crime director and screenwriter like Ümit Ünal. In ‘Paramparça’, I played a very beautiful and interesting role. I definitely gained something from every job I worked on.”
Respectful, sincere, emotional, and knows what he wants from life. “I am a Pisces and I carry all its traits. I am very emotional, and because of this, I sometimes succumb to my childish side.”
He has been an artist at the state theatre for over 20 years. He mentions that he could have come to Istanbul right after graduation and perhaps become a more famous and higher-earning actor, but his priorities in life were different.
“Instead of coming to Istanbul right after school, I joined the state theatres and worked in Adana for eight years. Not everyone does that. The Ankara State Conservatory is the first conservatory in history. I was so lucky that Prof. Dr. Cüneyt Gökçer was our instructor for four years. It was an institution he headed. Throughout its history, it has been the conservatory where the Stanislavski method was taught most correctly and with the most discipline. This is where the ‘Ankara difference’ comes from. In our tradition, that discipline and perspective on acting and life are ingrained. You couldn’t even be one minute late for class at the conservatory. On the contrary, we would go half an hour early to warm up. We wouldn’t go straight home after school either. We would talk about what we did that day. We reap the benefits of all this as time passes. We were students of an incredible staff: Cüneyt Gökçer, Çetin Tekindor, Levent Ülgen, Laçin Ceylan, Asuman Korad, Cem Emüler…”
Working with a master actor like Tuncel Kurtiz in the series ‘Muhteşem Yüzyıl’ is one of his greatest sources of happiness. “We were always side by side on set. He would always talk, and I would listen. He used to say, ‘One must live life by tasting everything, in moderation, in balance.’ I wish the master had lived longer. I learned so much from him; sitting and chatting on set with a master like Tuncel Kurtiz were the most wonderful moments of my life.”
Çağan Irmak’s ‘Mustafa Hakkında Herşey’ (All About Mustafa).
“Love is beautiful, but very difficult. There are many emotions that create love. Trust, faith, compromise, sharing, affection, respect—and I think respect is the most important. It’s very hard for all of these to exist at once. There are always shortcomings. It’s hard to complete it. That’s why it’s so difficult. Love happens as you get to know someone. I never believed in love at first sight. As for marriage, I don’t know what life will bring. Maybe tomorrow someone will come along and make me believe again. I’ll say, ‘This is the person I want to spend my life with.’ I didn’t get married just to get divorced, but it didn’t work out, we couldn’t do it, we separated.”
He never wanted to be just famous. “If I had wanted to be a ‘jön’ (leading man), based on the offers I received, I would have gone to Istanbul right after graduating from school and started doing TV series. Besides, back then I was thinner, had more hair, was younger, and fresher. But I never thought about being ‘just famous.’ What young actor would want to spend eight years of his life in a single region? I did, because becoming a good character actor always seemed more logical and correct than being a leading man. Unfortunately, the new generation is very keen on getting famous quickly, and some, even though they are conservatory graduates, don’t even consider theatre. It’s a pity.”
He believes the script is the most important factor when choosing a project. “The script is the most important factor. Nobody looks at the lead actor anymore. That’s over. The ‘star system’ is finished. The script carries the project. Big names won’t carry it. We have such an audience in front of us now. They have no mercy; the moment they don’t like something, they change the channel. Everyone has to be very careful and do their job well. I look at the text. I examine how much my character serves the text, and how much the text serves the character. Then comes the director. I research them. And of course, the cast. You hope to have actor friends you get along well with. And after that, the production company, of course.”
He has taken part in many important plays at the State Theatres for over 20 years, from ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Salome’ to ‘The Pillowman’ and ‘Keşanlı Ali Destanı’. Theatre is his greatest passion, and he refuses to give up performing his passion on stage, interacting with the audience, despite the tides of change. “My passion, my love, is theatre. I do TV series for the money. My duty at the State Theatre will continue. I don’t think I’ll leave and settle completely in Istanbul. The State Theatres are a very special institution for me; I’ve given my years to it. Maybe after I retire, I might settle in Istanbul completely.”
“‘Yazı Tura’ (Toss-Up). The acting was amazing, especially Uğur Yücel was fantastic. Another one of the most important films of my life is ‘Empire of the Sun.’ I was amazed by John Malkovich’s acting. And, of course, Christian Bale, who was just a little kid there. Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s ‘Bir Zamanlar Anadolu’da’ (Once Upon a Time in Anatolia) is also magnificent. Very naive and very full. Among Turkish actors, I love watching Taner Birsel. There can’t be such a correct and beautiful character actor. He also never does TV series.”
He wants to continue doing theatre and cinema throughout his life. “I don’t know how long I’ll exist in the TV series sector. My biggest dream is to open a small restaurant by the sea in the Aegean region. And I will be the one in the kitchen making the food.”
Reha Erdem and Nuri Bilge Ceylan.
Demet Evgar. “I love her energy. She is a very good character actor.”
If he’s not filming a series, he works out 4-5 days a week and watches his diet. “I started breath therapy. I realized I wasn’t breathing properly and correctly in my life, even though we use diaphragmatic breathing in theatre. And life means breath. Even though it’s only been 2 sessions, I feel my stamina has increased while exercising, and thus my body has relaxed. I recommend it to everyone. I can’t say I eat very healthy and properly. But I try to be careful. It’s a bit difficult when working on set. In my daily life, I eat 2 meals. A late breakfast and a meal towards the evening. Fruits are indispensable for me.”
“Taner Birsel, Uğur Yücel, and Şener Şen. These three names are actors that every young actor, or rather, every actor, should study, in my opinion.”
He loves to cook; he even says, “If I weren’t an actor, I would have been a chef.” “When I was little, I used to do my homework next to my mom when I came home from school. My mom was an amazing cook, and I laid the foundation by watching her. I can make anything, but the best is bulgur pilaf with lamb shank. You can’t buy meat from just anywhere; your butcher must be special. Boil the lamb shank in a pressure cooker with garlic. Don’t throw away the water; you’ll make the bulgur pilaf with it. You place the shank on top of the pilaf before it’s fully cooked. The shank waits while the pilaf cooks. And a shepherd’s salad on the side! Oh, perfect!”
Music. “I have music in my ears when I’m eating, working out, or memorizing a script. I listen to everything that sounds good. And I love the 80s.”
In the series “Eşref Rüya,” Müslüm Çermik, one of the closest figures to Eşref (Çağatay Ulusoy), stands out as the “ağabey” (older brother figure) and eldest member of the group. With a devout and composed background from the East, Müslüm is also a former political Islamist and a veteran who fought in Chechnya. Having joined Eşref’s team through a friend, Müslüm’s greatest desire is to reconcile with his family, who strongly disapproves of his involvement in dark affairs.
Müslüm Çermik’s Character:
Necip Memili was born on May 27, 1980, in Adana. He is a Turkish actor known for his roles in television, film, and theater.
Necip Memili’s latest project is the new series “Eşref Rüya.”
Büşra Develi was born on August 25, 1993, in Kocaeli. She is a Turkish actress known for her roles in television, film, and theater.
Büşra Develi’s latest television project is the new series “Eşref Rüya.”
Görkem Sevindik was born on October 17, 1986, in Adana. He is a prominent Turkish television and film actor.
Görkem Sevindik’s newest television series is “Eşref Rüya.”
Demet Özdemir was born on February 26, 1992, in Kocaeli. She is a renowned Turkish actress, starring in television series and films.
Demet Özdemir’s latest project is the highly anticipated series “Eşref Rüya” (Kanal D, starting 2025).