Haluk Bilginer

Haluk Bilginer is a Turkish actor who has worked in both Turkey and Britain. Born in İzmir, he trained at Ankara State Conservatory, graduating in 1977, and later at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. His first screen role came in the British soap EastEnders, where he played Mehmet Osman from 1985 to 1989 and became one of the show's popular cast members in the 1980s. He often portrays villains and unsympathetic characters, and has appeared in Hollywood films such as The International (2009), W.E. (2011), Ben-Hur (2016), Halloween (2018) and Maria (2024). His performance in Şahsiyet (2018) earned him Best Actor at the 47th International Emmy Awards, while Winter Sleep (2014) won the Palme d'Or at Cannes. He has also starred in television series including Ezel, Uysallar and Alex Rider.