BIOGRAPHY
Cagatay Ulusoy (b. September 23, 1990) is one of the top talents in the Turkish entertainment space. With a career that started at the young age of 20, when he won the Best Model Of Turkey in 2010, Cagatay is firmly established as one of the most transformative young actors, leading him to become the protagonist in Netflix's first Turkish original, The Protector, which became a global success. His international star meter has opened new doors, and he is reported to be star and producer of Amazon Prime adaptation of The Museum Of Innocence, slated to hit the screens in 2022.
Dizi Roles
Receiving his first offer for a dizi role within two hours of his Best Model win, Cagatay breathed life into the lead role of Emir Sarrafoglu in the phenomenally successful Medyapim production "Adini Feriha Koydum" (2011-2012). He brought back the role of Emir in a short-lived spin-off series “Emir’in Yolu”.
Cagatay’s role as Yaman Koper in "Medcezir" (2013-2015) catapulted him into international stardom, leading to his first Golden Butterfly award for Best Actor and ELLE Style awards. In addition, Cagatay reveals his formidable musical talent as he lends his voice to many songs on the show.
In September 2016, in a shift away from his lover boy roles, Cagatay took on the lead role of Sarp Yilmaz, a resolved, unwavering, undercover policeman in the action-packed and widely acclaimed dizi “Icerde”, the first of its genre for Turkey.
After a hiatus from the dizi space since Icerde, Cagatay returned for a guest role in Ay Yapim's Menajirimi Ara in September 2020, where he appeared as himself and hinted at his upcoming movie role in Mucadele Cikmazi ("Struggle Alley").
Dizi Roles
Receiving his first offer for a dizi role within two hours of his Best Model win, Cagatay breathed life into the lead role of Emir Sarrafoglu in the phenomenally successful Medyapim production "Adini Feriha Koydum" (2011-2012). He brought back the role of Emir in a short-lived spin-off series “Emir’in Yolu”.
Cagatay’s role as Yaman Koper in "Medcezir" (2013-2015) catapulted him into international stardom, leading to his first Golden Butterfly award for Best Actor and ELLE Style awards. In addition, Cagatay reveals his formidable musical talent as he lends his voice to many songs on the show.
In September 2016, in a shift away from his lover boy roles, Cagatay took on the lead role of Sarp Yilmaz, a resolved, unwavering, undercover policeman in the action-packed and widely acclaimed dizi “Icerde”, the first of its genre for Turkey.
After a hiatus from the dizi space since Icerde, Cagatay returned for a guest role in Ay Yapim's Menajirimi Ara in September 2020, where he appeared as himself and hinted at his upcoming movie role in Mucadele Cikmazi ("Struggle Alley").
Movie Roles
In 2010, even before his win as Best Model, Cagatay starred in a silent, black-and-white short film "Paranoia" directed by Ozgur Ozer. This was preceded by a stint as an extra in the Turkish comedy film Recep Ivedik 3. Once he had more experience as an actor, in between filming Adini Feriha Koydum, he appeared as a maverick fighter pilot in an ensemble cast for “Anadolu Kartallari”, a movie commissioned by the Turkish Air Force, and fashioned after the hugely successful 1986 Hollywood movie, Top Gun.
In late 2015, Cagatay prepared for 6 months for his role as Baris in "Delibal", taking drumming lessons and studying people with mental health issues, so that he could believably essay the role of a talented musician and student of architecture who also struggles with bi-polar disease. In addition to his acting prowess, Cagatay climbed the music charts with “Mutlu Sonsuz”, the principal song for the movie’s music track.
Most recently, Cagatay completed filming for Mucadele Cikmazi , a production by OGM Pictures and
directed by Can Ulkay (Ayla), which will be on Netflix in the first half of 2021.
More details of his projects are available in our Blog.
In 2010, even before his win as Best Model, Cagatay starred in a silent, black-and-white short film "Paranoia" directed by Ozgur Ozer. This was preceded by a stint as an extra in the Turkish comedy film Recep Ivedik 3. Once he had more experience as an actor, in between filming Adini Feriha Koydum, he appeared as a maverick fighter pilot in an ensemble cast for “Anadolu Kartallari”, a movie commissioned by the Turkish Air Force, and fashioned after the hugely successful 1986 Hollywood movie, Top Gun.
In late 2015, Cagatay prepared for 6 months for his role as Baris in "Delibal", taking drumming lessons and studying people with mental health issues, so that he could believably essay the role of a talented musician and student of architecture who also struggles with bi-polar disease. In addition to his acting prowess, Cagatay climbed the music charts with “Mutlu Sonsuz”, the principal song for the movie’s music track.
Most recently, Cagatay completed filming for Mucadele Cikmazi , a production by OGM Pictures and
directed by Can Ulkay (Ayla), which will be on Netflix in the first half of 2021.
More details of his projects are available in our Blog.
Netflix/ Digital Platforms
Cagatay’s domestic success and international appeal led to him being selected as the lead for Netflix’s first original Turkish production “The Protector” (2018 – 2020), a series based on the book Karakalem, written by N. Ipek Gokdel. Concluding with 32 episodes over 4 seasons, The Protector has been an incredible success for Netflix, who confirms that the first season was seen by 10 million member households globally in its first month, with the highest viewing figures captured in Turkey, followed by Latin American countries. Members in several other regions from Europe to the Middle East, and countries from Canada to Australia also loved to view Hakan’s story.
This global success opens new opportunities for Cagatay, who will be back on Netflix on March 15, 2021, with his new movie Mucadele Cikmazi. The movie demands a completely new avatar from Cagatay, playing the role of Mehmet who runs the solid waste warehouse in the neighborhood.
Cagatay’s domestic success and international appeal led to him being selected as the lead for Netflix’s first original Turkish production “The Protector” (2018 – 2020), a series based on the book Karakalem, written by N. Ipek Gokdel. Concluding with 32 episodes over 4 seasons, The Protector has been an incredible success for Netflix, who confirms that the first season was seen by 10 million member households globally in its first month, with the highest viewing figures captured in Turkey, followed by Latin American countries. Members in several other regions from Europe to the Middle East, and countries from Canada to Australia also loved to view Hakan’s story.
This global success opens new opportunities for Cagatay, who will be back on Netflix on March 15, 2021, with his new movie Mucadele Cikmazi. The movie demands a completely new avatar from Cagatay, playing the role of Mehmet who runs the solid waste warehouse in the neighborhood.
Future Projects
Earlier this year, it was announced that Cagatay will participate in an adaptation of Orhan Pamuk's Museum Of Innocence, the first Turkish production from Amazon Prime. The project is slated for 2022, and there is a possiblity that Cagatay will participate as a producer in addition to his lead role.
Cagatay will also play the lead in "Yesilcam" to be produced for BluTV as a 2 seasons, 10-episode per season package by produced ES Films. For more detailed information about this project, click here.
Modeling
Besides his acting roles, Cagatay has participated in several ad campaigns and magazine spreads, with one of the best known ones being as the face of "Colin's" clothing brand in Turkey in 2016, for which he shot the commercial "Bize Uyar" together with Victoria's Secret model Taylor Hill.
Earlier this year, it was announced that Cagatay will participate in an adaptation of Orhan Pamuk's Museum Of Innocence, the first Turkish production from Amazon Prime. The project is slated for 2022, and there is a possiblity that Cagatay will participate as a producer in addition to his lead role.
Cagatay will also play the lead in "Yesilcam" to be produced for BluTV as a 2 seasons, 10-episode per season package by produced ES Films. For more detailed information about this project, click here.
Modeling
Besides his acting roles, Cagatay has participated in several ad campaigns and magazine spreads, with one of the best known ones being as the face of "Colin's" clothing brand in Turkey in 2016, for which he shot the commercial "Bize Uyar" together with Victoria's Secret model Taylor Hill.
Awards
In the course of his career, Cagatay has received a Golden Butterfly Award, two Turkish Youth Awards, a Golden Lens Award and other widespread recognition. He has also been named to TCCandler’s 100 Most Handsome Faces (in the world) list for 4 years in a row. Most recently, he received his first international award as the GQ Middle East TV Star of the Year 2019.
Cagatay is managed by Engin Aykanat in Istanbul. Recently, he also signed on with Hollywood’s renowned United Talent Agency.
Before the pandemic, Cagatay used to split his time between Istanbul and Los Angeles, where he owns a home in Santa Monica. He spends his time in LA going through various professional development activities to hone his craft.
In the course of his career, Cagatay has received a Golden Butterfly Award, two Turkish Youth Awards, a Golden Lens Award and other widespread recognition. He has also been named to TCCandler’s 100 Most Handsome Faces (in the world) list for 4 years in a row. Most recently, he received his first international award as the GQ Middle East TV Star of the Year 2019.
Cagatay is managed by Engin Aykanat in Istanbul. Recently, he also signed on with Hollywood’s renowned United Talent Agency.
Before the pandemic, Cagatay used to split his time between Istanbul and Los Angeles, where he owns a home in Santa Monica. He spends his time in LA going through various professional development activities to hone his craft.
Personal Life
Cagatay is the elder of two sons of parents Aylin and Refiye Ulusoy, who are of Turk Bulgarian and Bosnian descent respectively. His parents live a quiet, village life in Canakkale. His younger brother Atalay, who is nearly 8 years his junior, is studying Film Practice in London.
Cagatay has been in a long-term relationship with Duygu Sarisin, his co-star in Icerde. An intensely private man, Cagatay and his loved ones like to keep their personal life away from the spotlight.
Cagatay and good friend Kivanc Tatlitug often vacation together.
Cagatay is the elder of two sons of parents Aylin and Refiye Ulusoy, who are of Turk Bulgarian and Bosnian descent respectively. His parents live a quiet, village life in Canakkale. His younger brother Atalay, who is nearly 8 years his junior, is studying Film Practice in London.
Cagatay has been in a long-term relationship with Duygu Sarisin, his co-star in Icerde. An intensely private man, Cagatay and his loved ones like to keep their personal life away from the spotlight.
Cagatay and good friend Kivanc Tatlitug often vacation together.