Turkish actor Alper Çankaya has officially secured his next television project after completing his two-season role as Şahin in the popular drama 'Uzak Şehir'. He has joined the cast of the series 'Sevdiğim Sensin', which is produced by Ay Yapım for Star TV, thereby strengthening the ensemble of the show that continues to air successfully on Thursdays.
Çankaya's move marks another collaboration with Ay Yapım, one of Turkey's leading production companies. During the summer, the actor also worked with this company on the upcoming Netflix series titled 'Eve Giden Yol', which will be directed by renowned filmmaker Onur Saylak. This project was filmed before his latest television casting and allowed him to work again with several well-known figures in the Turkish entertainment industry.
The announcement of Çankaya's appearance generated significant interest among viewers of 'Sevdiğim Sensin', as fans eagerly await to know what role he will play in the ongoing storyline. Although production has confirmed his participation, details about his character have not yet been officially revealed. This mystery has sparked numerous speculations in Turkish media regarding how his arrival might affect the future plotlines of the series.
Alper Çankaya became a familiar face to television audiences through his role as Şahin in 'Uzak Şehir', where he spent two seasons as one of the drama's key characters. His departure at the end of the season attracted considerable attention from fans, many of whom wondered about his next project. His transition to another high-profile project with Ay Yapım ensures that he remains a consistent presence on Turkish television.
'Sevdiğim Sensin' stars İtaç Şaşmaz and Helen Kandemir, with Hüseyin Avni Danyal, Deniz Işin, Cihat Suvarioğlu, Özlem Konker, Esra Ronabar, and Barış Bahtaş also participating in the cast. Since its premiere, the series has become one of the most-watched dramas on Star TV, consistently attracting attention due to its emotional narrative and acting ensemble.
For Çankaya, this step represents another important milestone in a busy year. Alongside his work on the Netflix series 'Eve Giden Yol', his involvement in 'Sevdiğim Sensin' demonstrates sustained demand for the actor following his successful performances in recent television productions. While the audience awaits further information about his character, his arrival is expected to add new dynamics to one of the most discussed Turkish dramas of the season.
Bosnian actress Merzem Şilak has become a new leading actress in the project 'Aşk ve Taht' (Love and the Throne), which is one of the most ambitious historical Turkish dramas in development. The series, produced by Mehmet Bozdağ for Bozdağ Film, has officially moved to the next stage of production, beginning script readings in costume.
Merzem Şilak has joined the project as Princess Destin (previously mentioned as Maryam) and will be one of the main stars alongside Akın Akınzu. Akın Akınzu plays the role of Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad, one of the influential rulers of the Anatolian Seljuk state. Simay Barлас will also be central to the plot, playing Melike Hatun.
Turkish media reported that the cast recently gathered for a costume rehearsal and script reading, allowing the actors to appear together in historical attire for the first time before filming begins. Special attention was drawn to Akın Akınzu's physical transformation, who spent months preparing to authentically portray Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad, reflecting the appearance of a 13th-century ruler, including long hair.
In addition to his appearance, Akın Akınzu underwent extensive preparation, studying both the historical figure and the political climate of that era. His costume, hairstyle, and overall look were meticulously designed to match the image of one of Anatolia's most famous sultans. The script focuses on Alaeddin Keykubad's journey from captivity to the throne, highlighting a key chapter in the history of the Anatolian Seljuks.
The series promises to combine historical facts with emotional storytelling, exploring themes of romance, betrayal, dynastic strife, palace politics, and harem intrigue, rather than focusing solely on military victories. Producers described 'Aşk ve Taht' as a powerful love story rarely shown on screen, emphasizing the complex balance between personal relationships and political ambitions within the palace.
The work behind the camera is handled by a renowned team of directors: Yağmur Taylan and Durul Taylan, known as the Taylan Brothers, along with Cem Tolua. These directors are considered among the most respected in Turkey, having experience creating many successful dramatic projects. During the script reading event, Akın Akınzu, Merzem Şilak, and Simay Barлас shared their enthusiasm for participating in the project. The involvement of Merzem Şilak also attracted attention, as it lends an additional authentic regional dimension to the international production.
