Deniz Akdeniz (born 16 May 1990) is an Australian actor. He starred in the Australian remake of As the Bell Rings, from 2007 to 2009. In 2010, Akdeniz gained wider recognition for his leading role in Stuart Beattie's feature film adaptation of the novel Tomorrow, When the War Began. He then starred in the fantasy horror I, Frankenstein and drama film The Water Diviner (both 2014), before portraying Aladdin in the ABC fantasy series Once Upon a Time (20162017).
Akdeniz has since appeared in various film and television projects, including the television series The Flight Attendant (20202022) and High Potential (2024present), and the 2023 independent films You Hurt My Feelings and Dumb Money.
Early life Akdeniz is of Turkish descent. His parents hail from Izmir, Turkey and when the family emigrated to Australia, they enrolled his older brother in drama classes to help him integrate socially. Akdeniz followed his brother's lead and began performing at the age of eight. He developed his performance skills at The Australian Film and Television Academy (TAFTA), NIDA, St Martins Youth Theatre, and with Bruce Alexander at Melbourne Acting Studio. He made his professional debut in a 2007 production of Angels with Dirty Faces. He was discovered while he was with the Victorian Youth Theatre.
Prior to acting, Akdeniz trained and competed professionally in mixed martial arts. He is a Victorian jiujitsu champion.
Career Akdeniz's first role was in the Australian film Puppy in 2005. He followed this with a role as Raff on the Disney television series As the Bell Rings from 2007 to 2009.
He was nominated for Best Actor at the 2010 Inside Film Awards for his role as Homer in the film Tomorrow, When the War Began.
In 2014 Akdeniz appeared in I, Frankenstein, and The Water Diviner.
He played a recurring role as Aladdin in season six of the ABC television series Once Upon a Time from 2016 to 2017, and as Robb Wellens on season three of Siren in 2020.
Beginning in 2022 Akdeniz played Max in seasons 1 and 2 of the HBO Max comedic thriller The Flight Attendant.
He appeared in 2022 Australian–American co-production Interceptor, and in 2023 films You Hurt My Feelings and Dumb Money.
He currently plays Lev 'Oz' Ozdil on television series High Potential.
Personal life Akdeniz married his long term partner, American actress Riley Dandy, in 2024.
He is now based in Los Angeles.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2005 Puppy Omar Feature film 2010 Tomorrow, When the War Began Homer Yannos 2013 April Rain Tariq2014 I, Frankenstein Barachel The Water Diviner Imam 2020 Sightless Nurse Omar The High Note Spencer Cliff2023 You Hurt My Feelings Vince Dumb Money Briggsy
Television Year Title Role Notes 2007–2009 As the Bell Rings Raff Main cast, 27 episodes 2007 Pass the Plate Himself Short series, episode: "Banana" 2008 Disney Channel Games Himself (Team Inferno) Short series, 5 episodes 2013 Kristin's Christmas Past Maverick TV movie 2014 Graceland Wayne 'Bates' Zelanski 3 episodes 2015 Perception Jesse Branson Episode: "Romeo" 2015 Jessie Marco Episode: "Rossed at Sea, Part 2" 2016 Code Black Manny Petrosian Episode: "The Fifth Stage" 2016–2017 Once Upon a Time Aladdin Recurring role, 7 episodes 2017 Jane the Virgin Alex 2017 Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Virgil Episode: "Orientation: Part 1" 2019 S.W.A.T. Micah Episode: "Micah" 2019 For All Mankind Paul Santoro Episode: "Red Moon" 2020 Siren Robb Wellens Recurring role 2020–2022 The Flight Attendant Max Park Recurring role (season 1)Main role (season 2) 2022 The Cleaning Lady Tarik Bersamian 2 episodes 2022–2023 The Rookie: Feds Mark Atlas 5 episodes 2024–current Ghosts Chris 4 episodes: "The Polterguest", "Isaac's Wedding", "The Bachelorette Party" & "St Hetty's Day" 2024–current High Potential Lev 'Oz' Ozdil Main role
Theatre Year Title Role Notes 2007 Angels with Dirty Faces Fairfax Studio, Melbourne with 9Minds
Video games Year Title Role Notes 2016 Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare PO1 Dan "Wolf" Lyall Campaign Mission: "Rising Threat" Battlefield 1 Matteo Cocchiola Model
Awards and nominations YearWorkAwardCategoryResult 2010 Tomorrow When the War Began Inside Film Awards Best Actor
References
External links