Hande Erçel (born 24 November 1993) is a Turkish actress, known for her work in television and films such as Güneşin Kızları (2015–16), Aşk Laftan Anlamaz (2016–17), Sen Çal Kapımı (2020–21) and Bambaşka Biri (2023–24). She made her film debut in the historical drama Intoxicated by Love (2024) which broke box-office records and starred in the Netflix romance Chasing the Wind (2025).

Early life She was born in 1993 in Bandırma, the daughter of Aylin (who died from cancer in 2019) and her father Kaya Erçel; she has an older sister, Gamze. She studied at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in the Department of Traditional Turkish Arts. In 2012, she participated in a beauty pageant held in Azerbaijan, where she placed second.

Career Between 2015 and 2016, she portrayed the character Selin Yılmaz Mertoğlu in the television series Güneşin Kızları, aired on Kanal D. Subsequently, from 2016 to 2017, she played the role of Hayat Uzun in the series Aşk Laftan Anlamaz, broadcast on Show TV. Her performance in this series earned her the Best Female Comedy Actress award at the Golden Butterfly Awards.

In 2019, she appeared as Müjde Akay in the series Halka on TRT 1 and as Azize Aksu Günay in the series Azize on Kanal D. From 2020 to 2021, she portrayed Eda Yıldız in the series Sen Çal Kapımı, aired on Fox. From 2023 to 2024, she played Leyla Gediz in the series Bambaşka Biri, also broadcast on Fox.

Endorsement Erçel was the face of personal care brand L'Oréal Turkey and the oral care brand Signal. In 2017, she was selected as the face of DeFacto's 2017-2018 Fall collection campaign called "Velvet". In 2020, she was named global ambassador for clothing brand Nocturne and headlined multiple campaigns for the brand. In 2025, after years of collaborating, the brand launched a collection designed by Erçel named "Inspired By Her". In December 2021, Erçel was selected as the newest face of renowned Turkish jewelry brand Atasay Jewellery.

In May 2022, Disney+ picked her as its new ambassador. In August 2023, she become the face of Saudi perfume house Laverne's "Miss Laverne". In that year, she was also named the new face of deodorant brand Emotion and become the newest ambassador for ice cream brand Magnum, attending the Cannes Film Festival as the advertising model of the brand. In April 2025, Italian luxury jewelry brand Pomellato announced Erçel as its new global brand ambassador.

Influence Erçel is among the highest-paid actresses in Turkey and is the most-followed Turkish actress on Instagram. She was the only Turkish actress to be featured on IMDb's World's Most Beautiful Actresses list. Fillgab, a global website, ranked her first on its "10 Most Beautiful Muslim Women in The World" list. Erçel is the first and only Turkish actor to appear on the cover of Marie Claire Spain, The Hollywood Magazine and Grazia. The Hollywood Magazine called her "one of the most influential public figures in Turkey and the wider region" and "producers are calling her “the next Penélope Cruz meets Zendaya” — a rare blend of grace, cultural depth, and magnetic screen presence." She appeared on other magazines such as Vogue Turkey, Vogue Arabia, Elle Turkey, HELLO Turkey, Harper Bazaar Turkey and InStyle Turkey to promote various brands.

Filmography

Film YearTitleRoleNotes2024 Intoxicated by LoveKimia KhatoonSupporting role2025Chasing the WindAsli MansoyLeading Role

Television Year Title Role Notes2014The WrenZahideSupporting role2014Çılgın Dersane Üniversitede Meryem2014 Hayat AğacıSelen Karahanlı2015–2016Güneşin KızlarıSelin YılmazLeading role2016–2017Aşk Laftan AnlamazHayat Uzun Sarsılmaz2017–2018Hazal Şulabı/Naz Demiroğlu2019HalkaMüjde Akay2019AzizeAzize Günay/Melek Aydın2020–2021Sen Çal KapımıEda Yıldız2023-2024Bambaşka BiriLeyla Gediz2025Aşk ve GözyaşiMeyra Aksel

Web TV YearTitleRolePlatformProduction2025Reminder (Aşkı Hatırla)Güneş GülnerDisney+O3 Medya2025Two Worlds, One WishBilge TanilPrime VideoTaff Pictures

Music video Year Singer Song Notes2017Demir Yağmur"Canın Sağ Olsun"with Rıza Kocaoğlu

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 2012 Miss Civilization of Turkey First Herself rowspan="6" Miss Civilization of World Second 2015 42nd Golden Butterfly Awards Rising Star Güneşin Kızları 2016 İTÜ EMÖS Success Awards Most Successful Actress Turkey's Youth Awards Best Actress KTÜ Media Awards New Rising Star İMK Social Media Awards Best Actress Aşk Laftan Anlamaz rowspan="2" 2017 Müzikonair Awards Best Actress in Television Series Yeditepe University 5.Dilek Awards Best Actress in Comedy Turkey's Children Awards Best Actress in Drama Series İstanbul Moda Rehberi Awards Best Actress rowspan="10" 44th Golden Butterfly Awards Best Actress in Comedy 2018 Marketing Turkey: The One Awards Best Actress Siyah İnci 2021 Golden Wings Awards Best Actress of the Year Sen Çal Kapımı Öğrencilere Sorduk Project The Best Duo Güzel Awards Best Actress Güzel Awards Best Couple Ayakli Gazete TV Stars AwardsBest Actress in Romantic ComedyBest TV Series Couple 47th Golden Butterfly AwardsBest CoupleBest Actress in Romantic Comedy 10th KTÜ Media Awards Most Admired TV Series Couple rowspan="2" 2022 Elle Style Awards Elle Cover Girl of the Year Herself 2023 49th Golden Butterfly Awards Best Actress Bambaşka Biri rowspan="2" Best Couple (with Burak Deniz) 2024 Elle Style Awards Fashion Collaboration of the Year Nocturne rowspan="5" American Turkish Society Annual Gala Honorary Award for Contribution to Turkish Television Herself Women of the Year 2024 - Harper's Bazaar Digital Star of the Year 2025BMagBest Female Fashion Icon of the Year2026Elle Style AwardsStylish Actress of the Year

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