A screen character does not always remain just a role. For some Turkish TV actors, successful performances had such a powerful impact that they brought not only fame, but also hatred, harassment, and severe psychological pressure. Some were forced to seek psychotherapy, while others had to rebuild their careers and reputations from scratch.
Kerem Bürsin
Kerem Bürsin gained his first real recognition with his role in Waiting for the Sun. However, global fame came with Love Is in the Air in 2020. His on-screen partnership with Hande Erçel brought immense popularity, but also serious challenges.
The character of Serkan Bolat became so iconic that audiences struggled to separate the actor from the role. Despite Bürsin’s attempts to move toward more dramatic projects, viewers continued to see him primarily as Eda Yıldız’s lover. The name “Serkan” became a stereotype, making it difficult for him to expand his acting range.
Meryem Uzerli
Meryem Uzerli’s life changed dramatically after Magnificent Century. Her portrayal of Hürrem Sultan brought instant fame, but she was psychologically unprepared for it. Years of intense work and public scrutiny severely affected her mental health.
Exhausted both physically and emotionally, and while pregnant, she chose to leave the series for the sake of her child. Fans reacted harshly, criticizing her decision, while many colleagues distanced themselves from her.
Hande Erçel
Hande Erçel’s rise to fame coincided with a personal tragedy — the loss of her mother to cancer. During Sunshine Girls, she faced not only admiration but also relentless criticism.
Some attacked her appearance, others questioned her acting skills, while many expressed baseless hatred. As her fame grew, so did the number of haters. In interviews, Erçel admitted she would never forgive the trolls who appeared during her rise to stardom.
Kaan Urgancıoğlu
Kaan Urgancıoğlu became a victim of his own success after playing Emir in Endless Love. Viewers failed to separate him from his character, transferring all hatred toward Emir onto the actor himself.
Even after the tragic finale, audiences refused to accept him in other roles. It took years of hard work for Urgancıoğlu to rebuild his image, which he finally achieved with his role as Ilgaz in Judgment — nearly five years later.
Buçe Buse Kahraman
Buçe Buse Kahraman, who played Pelin in The Kingfisher, faced the dark side of fame early in her career. Viewers blurred the line between her character and real life.
She received not only negative comments but also serious threats. The harassment extended to her family, forcing her lawyer to take legal action.
Mehmet Ali Nuroğlu
Mehmet Ali Nuroğlu’s portrayal of Vedat in Tell Me, Black Sea led to severe backlash. His character was so convincingly cruel that the actor received threats and was even personally stalked.
According to Nuroğlu, the most terrifying aspect of fame is losing privacy, freedom, and personal space.
Dilan Çiçek Deniz
Dilan Çiçek Deniz became a fan favorite after portraying Sena in Çukur. Her character’s death deeply affected viewers. However, for the actress, the biggest challenge was coping with the psychological toll of the show’s violent storyline.
She openly admitted seeking professional psychological help, stating that the role and fame heightened her anxiety and blurred the line between her own emotions and those of her character.
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