The Turkish dizi scene continues to grow internationally. Here are the stars to keep an eye on and know in 2026, from Hande Erçel to Alp Navruz.
Turkish dramas’ steady rise in popularity has created a palpable spotlight on the country’s talent. According to analytics company Parrot Analytics, between 2020 and 2023 alone, the global demand for Turkish television dramas grew 184%. In 2024, the company reported dizi (Turkish dramas) to be the most in-demand Turkish productions in the United States.
Turkey, the Land of Four Seasons, boasts a unique appeal thanks to its multicultural background. Predominantly maritime, the country serves as a crossroads for the Mediterranean Sea and the Middle East. This foothold has created a melting pot of cultures and fostered a media landscape that gravitates toward global audiences.
Over the last couple of years, in particular, the entertainment scene’s fast-growing popularity has thrust Turkish celebrities into the spotlight. Now, more than ever, these stars are making their headway on social media, international red carpets, and front rows, proving their ability to influence the global scene.
During the Fall-Winter 2025 Fashion Week, for example, the influencer-marketing platform Lefty reported that Turkish drama stars generated $5.54 million in EMV (earned media value), a metric that measures the monetary worth of unpaid social media exposure, based solely on engagement. These numbers speak to the power that dizi stars have garnered beyond the confines of television.
As Turkish entertainment steps into the limelight, here are seven Turkish stars to know—and pay attention to in 2026.
Tuba Büyüküstün
Tuba Büyüküstün is one of Turkey’s most respected and highest-paid actresses. Büyüküstün started her career in television more than twenty years ago. In 2005, her role in the romantic drama Ihlamurlar Altında solidified her star power across the Middle East. Shortly after, the actor received an International Emmy nomination for her performance in the crime drama 20 Dakika. Throughout her career, the industry veteran has received over twenty-five awards from global film festivals, organizations and publications.
Before launching her acting career, Büyüküstün studied costume and design at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University. The star’s interest in fashion has permeated into her public life. Nowadays, it’s not rare to see Büyüküstün on the covers of fashion publications and sitting in the front row at international fashion events. In addition to her TV work, the actress serves as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). She often advocates for their causes on social media and at in-person events.
More recently, Büyüküstün has made headlines with multiple red carpet appearances and invitations to Paris Fashion Week. Caree-wise, in 2026, the actress reprised the role of Ada in the third season of Netflix’s Zeytin Ağacı, released in June to great acclaim.
Follow Tuba Büyüküstün on Instagram and Facebook.
Seyit Alp Navruz
Actor Seyit Alp Navruz (best known as Alp Navruz) began his career at a young age, landing his first roles during his school days. The now household name then pursued his passion for acting by taking lessons from Turkish performing arts veterans Cihan Ünal and Altan Erkekli.
In 2016, Navruz made his film debut in the horror film Ceberrut. Almost a decade later, he returned to the silver screen in the romantic film Her Şeyin Başı Merkür. In between, the actor built a prolific career in the dizi industry, starring in famous television dramas such as Ada Masalı and Elimi Bırakma.
Besides his acting career, the star has pursued other interests. Navruz graduated with a degree in Turkish language and literature from Yıldız Technical University and has built a strong presence as a brand endorser.
In 2025, the star remained under the spotlight through various magazine covers and the arrival of his 2024 film Her Şeyin Başı Merkür on Netflix. However, 2026 marks his full-throttle return to the screens with two projects: Şule: Senin Hikâyen, where he plays the role of a former war correspondent, and the upcoming Nizamülmülk: Altın Çağ (The Golden Age), his first historical drama.
Follow Alp Navruz on Instagram, Facebook and X
Afra Saraçoğlu
From advertisements to film sets, actress Afra Saraçoğlu is one of the names making headlines in Turkey. Since her debut in the mid-2010s, the actress has held diverse roles on TV. A pivotal project in her rise to fame was the romantic drama Yalı Çapkını (Golden Boy), where she played the leading role of Seyran. The show, broadcast in more than 100 countries, skyrocketed to worldwide acclaim, earning Saraçoğlu global recognition.
Throughout her career, the actress has lent her image to beauty and fashion brands — YSL Beauty, ELiDOR and DeFacto are just a few of her recurring partnerships. Reinforcing her status as one of Turkey’s most notable talents, in 2025, the actress made various appearances on the front rows of Paris Fashion Week and sealed a partnership with Bvlgari.
Renato Munafo, General Manager of Bvlgari Italy and Turkey, said that Saraçoğlu’s brand ambassador appointment was a valuable step toward strengthening the brand’s presence in Turkey. “We believe that Afra’s talent and unique approach will create an inspiring and strong connection with modern, confident and powerful women,” Munafo said in a press statement.
In January 2026, Saraçoğlu starred in OGM Pictures’ series A.B.I., which received positive reviews from critics and spectators. Now, she’s expected to appear in Disney+’s Pera, a project that wrapped up last year but has no release date yet.
In the meantime, Saraçoğlu has participated in various international fashion events, including Paris Fashion Week. Fans can catch up with the actress on social media, where she often offers a glimpse into her life, sharing trips, magazine cover shoots, and snippets of her work.
Follow Afra Saraçoğlu on Instagram and Snapchat.
Berk Atan
Actor Berk Atan started his career in 2011 after earning the title “Best Promises” at the Best Model of Turkey pageant. Following his victory in the next year’s competition, Atan rode the momentum, stepping into the film industry.
The actor appeared in the ensemble cast of the detective comedy Her Şey Yolunda. His comedy debut was followed by romance and crime shows. Transcending genres, Atan showcased his ability to mold into different characters and storylines with roles in series such as Cennet’in Gözyaşları, Sunshine Girls and Altındâğlı.
In recent years, the actor has gained fame for his performance as leading man Taner Kaya in Gönül Dağı, which wrapped up its sixth season last June.
On social media, the star often uploads behind-the-scenes photos and videos of his various projects. Besides the BTS footage, Atan shares magazine covers, outdoor scenery, and four-legged friends with his followers.
Follow Berk Atan on Instagram.
Hande Erçel
From the silver screen to the red carpet, actress Hande Erçel remains one of the it girls of our generation. Nowadays, she’s mainly spotted on movie and television production sets, as well as the front rows of international Fashion Weeks. However, Erçel began her career in modeling and competed in the Miss Civilization pageant in 2012. She later caught worldwide attention with her breakthrough role in the romantic comedy drama Aşk Laftan Anlamaz.
Over the years, her star power has grown vertiginously with projects such as Sen Çal Kapımı and Bambaşka Biri. Her international popularity has translated into important collaborations with brands and a strong social media following. In fact, Erçel has amassed the largest following among Turkish actors on Instagram. On the platform, she shares everything, from her latest beauty transformations to red carpet appearances.
Beyond her successful career and strong fandom, Erçel is a growing dynamo in the fashion industry. The actress is a regular at European Fashion Weeks and prestigious film festivals, where she stands out for her stylish wardrobe.
In 2025, Erçel starred in the Disney+ series Aşkı Hatırla alongside Barış Arduç, with whom she shared credits in Netflix’s Chasing the Wind. The actress also celebrated her appointment as a brand ambassador for the Italian jewelry Maison Pomellato and graced the screen in Aşk ve Gözyaşı, Turkey’s remake of the South Korean series Queen of Tears. Wrapping up a successful and agenda-packed year and welcoming a new chapter in her career, Erçel wrote, produced and starred in Prime Video’s Iki Dunya Bir Dilek.
Though there aren’t any confirmed television projects down the pipeline for the star
—she’s reportedly focused on cinema—Erçel remains active in the fashion scene, attending red carpets, fashion shows and fronting campaigns.
Follow Hande Erçel on Instagram.
Burak Özçivit
Model and actor Burak Özçivit has garnered worldwide attention for his dynamic performances and endorsements. The actor started his career by winning the Türkiye Best Model competition in 2003. He then signed with a modeling agency and regularly participated in and attended fashion shows.
Özçivit experienced his breakthrough on screen years later. The romantic drama Çalıkuşu and historical series such as Muhteşem Yüzyıl and Kuruluş: Osman introduced the actor internationally. The latest, in particular, earned him acclaim across continents and cemented his status as one of Turkey’s biggest stars in the historical drama genre. Over the years, many brands have chosen the actor to represent them in Turkey. Pepsi, Ali Bin Ali Luxury & Fashion, and Singer Bangladesh are just a few of his global endorsements.
In December 2025, the actor made his theater debut with The Most Beautiful Girl in Istanbul, further expanding his career portfolio. Earlier this summer, Özçivit was announced as the lead of ATV’s upcoming series, Güneşin Doğduğu Yer (Where the Sun Rises), partly set in Germany.
Follow Burak Özçivit on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Demet Özdemir
One of Turkey’s multihyphenates, Demet Özdemir began her career in entertainment as a dancer and member of the dance team Efes Kızları. In 2013, the star ventured into acting, starring in the fantasy series Sana Bir Sır Vereceğim. She followed up with roles in Çilek Kokusu, No: 309 and Kurt Seyit ve Şura. Özdemir achieved her international breakthrough with Erkenci Kuş (Daydreamer), which was distributed to various regios, including Latin America and Europe.
Since then, the star has steadily built a presence in television, film and, more recently, music. Productions such as Adım Farah and Love Tactics have furthered Özdemir’s international influence, earning her awards and recognition beyond Turkey. Brands have also acknowledged her influence, turning her into a VIP at events such as Fashion Week.
In 2025, building on the success of her action series Eşref Rüya, Özdemir released the single “Ah Yar” and collaborated with singer Afra on “Şimdi Böyle Biriymiş.” The actress also made waves in fashion, gracing the front row of Burberry’s SS26 show in London.
Fans of the actor can look forward to Özdemir’s upcoming film drama, Cinlerin Düğünü (Djinn Wedding), premiering this fall in the Platform section of the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival.
Follow Demet Özdemir on Instagram and X
* Editor’s note: This story was originally published on May 17, 2025, and has been updated to reflect the latest updates.
