Turkish Actor Engin Akyurek Nominated for Best Actor at 2015 Int Emmy Awards

Engin Akyurek’s nomination comes as a result of his stirring performance in the popular Turkish television series Kara Para Aşk (Black Money Love). Set in Istanbul, the series follows police officer Ömer Demir (played by Akyurek) as he investigates his fiancé’s murder. Widely acclaimed for his raw, believable performance in the role, Akyurek has been named Turkey’s most promising actor by the Turkish Film Critics Association. He was also recently named Best Actor at the Seoul International Drama Awards.
 
Turkey’s domestic television business, booming in recent years due to substantial investments from the country’s major broadcast networks, has certainly caught the attention of international producers. Recent high-profile films like the James Bond hit Skyfall, Russel Crowe’s The Water Diviner and Ben Affleck’s Argo filmed there. With its hard-working, inexpensive crews and stunning urban and rural locations, the country hosts an array of opportunities for the industry. Istanbul alone is home to such marvels as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Outside the city, sites like Cappadocia, the Pamukkale Thermal Pools and the Turkish Riviera provide fantastical film backdrops.
 
Turkey’s film and television industry is on the incline. With its wealth of settings, increased government support and outstanding young talent like Akyurek, it is easy to see why.