Burak Deniz (born 17 February 1991) is a Turkish actor and model who works in films and television. He is known for portraying Murat Sarsılmaz in the popular rom-com Aşk Laftan Anlamaz series, Barış Aktan in the drama series Bizim Hikaye and Kenan Öztürk in the murder mystery drama Bambaşka Biri.
In 2021, he went on to star as the titular character in hit series Maraşlı, followed by playing Asaf in Disney+ series The Ignorant Angels (2022) and Maran in the Netflix series Şahmaran (2023). Deniz is also known for playing Ozan in the films Arada (2018) and Semih in Netflix original Kal (2022).
Early life Deniz was born on 17 February 1991, in Istanbul, and grew up in İzmit. He graduated from İzmit 50 Yıl Cumhuriyet Primary School, and Gazi High School. He studied History of Art at the Çanakkale 18 Mart University. He attended acting workshops while he was still in high school, and was discovered by the casting director Gökçe Doruk Erten who helped him start his career.
Career Early beginnings (2011–2015) Deniz began his career with the series Kolej Günlüğü, where he played the role of Onur. In 2012, he starred as Tarık in Sultan. In 2013, he portrayed Burak Topçuoğlu in the series Kaçak. In 2015, Deniz essayed Aras in the series Medcezir. It is an adaptation of the American television series The O.C..
In 2015, Deniz starred as Toprak in the series Tatlı Küçük Yalancılar which is inspired by American TV show Pretty Little Liars. It also co-starred Şükrü Özyıldız, Bensu Soral, Büşra Develi, Melisa Şenolsun, Dilan Çiçek Deniz and Beste Kökdemir. In 2016, he played Mert in Gecenin Kraliçesi alongside Meryem Uzerli and Murat Yıldırım.
Aşk Laftan Anlamaz and rise to fame (2016–2019) From 2016 to 2017, he portrayed the role of Murat Sarsılmaz opposite Hande Erçel in the widely popular rom-com series Aşk Laftan Anlamaz. Set in Istanbul, the show follows a workplace romance at a multinational fashion company, Sarte. Deniz's character, Murat is the crown prince of the textile empire. The series became an international phenomenon and won the leading duo several awards.
In 2017, he starred as Barış Aktan alongside Hazal Kaya in the series Bizim Hikaye. It is an adaptation of the UK series Shameless. In 2018, he made his film debut with Arada, which is about a punk singer wanting to leave Turkey who ends up in a nightmarish, hallucinatory trip through Istanbul.
Variation, web series, and more (2020–present) In 2020, Deniz starred as Kadir Bilmez in the web series Yarım Kalan Aşklar opposite Dilan Çiçek Deniz. It revolves around Ozan, a journalist who loses his life in an accident, only to get resurrected in a new body, with him playing the role of the resurrected body. He then starred as Celal "Maraşlı" Kün in the series Maraşlı opposite Alina Boz.
During 2022, he portrayed Asaf in the Italian series The Ignorant Angels after Can Yaman turned it down due to scheduling conflicts. Deniz travelled to Italy and even spoke Italian for the role. He starred in the Netflix series Şahmaran the following year.
In 2023, Deniz reunited with Erçel for the crime drama series Bambaşka Biri. He portrayed Kenan Öztürk, a popular journalist grappling with the effects of dissociative personality disorder. His alter-ego Doğan Kaya is an avenging murderer. The series topped commercial demographics and became most watched in all categories.
In 2024, he starred in Bir Gece Masali as Mahir Yılmaz opposite Su Burcu Yazgı Coşkun, who had previously worked in Bizim Hikaye. The show concluded with 35 episodes within one season. The following year, he starred in Sahtekarlar with Hilal Altınbilek. It ended in 2026 due to low ratings.
Personal life In addition to his mother tongue, Turkish, he can speak and understand English.
He was in relationship with Büşra Develi from 2015 to 2018; he starred with her in Tatlı Küçük Yalancılar and Arada. Deniz was then in a relationship with Turkish model Didem Soydan from 2020 to 2022; the breakup was surrounded by rumors.
Filmography Television Year Show Role Network Ref(s) 2011 Kolej Günlüğü OnurTeve2 2012 SultanTarikKanal D 2012 Böyle Bitmesin Fedat TRT 1 2013–2015 Kaçak Burak TopcuoğluATV 2013–2015 Medcezir Aras Star TV 2015 Tatlı Küçük Yalancılar Toprak Kaynak 2016 Gecenin Kraliçesi Mert Alkan 2016–2017 Aşk Laftan Anlamaz Murat Sarsılmaz Show TV 2017–2019Bizim Hikaye Savaş "Barış" Aktan Fox 2021MaraşlıCelal "Maraşlı" Kün Mehmet İnceATV 2023–2024 Bambaşka Biri Kenan Öztürk Doğan Kaya FOX 2024-2025 Bir Gece Masali Mahir Yılmaz ATV2025-2026SahtekarlarErtan AydınNOW
Films Year Title Role Platform Ref(s) 2018 Arada Ozan 2022Kal Semih Netflix Turkey 2025 Umami Chef Sina Disney+
Web series Year Title Role Network 2020 Yarım Kalan Aşklar Mehmet Kadir Bilmez BluTV 2022 The Ignorant Angels Asaf Disney+ 2023– Şahmaran Maran Yaloğlu Netflix Turkey
Music videos +YearSongSingerRef2017Bizim HikayeÇağatay Akman2018Bir Beyaz OrkideCihan Mürtezaoğlu
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Show Result Reference 2018 GQ Awards Man of the Year 2023 Distinctive International Arab Festivals AwardsBest International ActorBambaşka Biri Golden Butterfly Awards Best Actor Best Couple (With Hande Erçel)Mevcut Bilgi Yilin En'leri ÖdülleriEurexpo FesticultureMost Popular Actor of the Year2024GQ AwardsScreen Star of the Year
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