Yigit Özsener
- Actor
Yigit Özsener is a Turkish actor of screen and stage, born in Izmir, April 6, 1972. He completed his undergraduate studies in BS in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering at Yildiz Technical University and his MBA at Koc University, Istanbul. His acting career started on theatre stage when he joined Studio Players during his undergraduate studies. Under Sahika Tekand's mentorship, he quickly proved himself as versatile performer and took part in the Studio's various plays including Dumb Waiter by Harold Pinter. He participated workshops based on Suzuki method of acting by Ellen Lauren as well as Theodoros Terzopoulos of Attis Theatre in Athens, Greece in 1996. His first international stage appearance was in 2000, he played in Heracles Triology produced by Attis Theatre of Athens for 10th International Greek Drama Festival.
His earliest credit roles on television were commercials; first he became the face of Turk.net campaign (telecommunication). Next, he starred in the branded mini series of Turkcell (leading communication and technology provider) which was a highly successful campaign that embraces celebrity endorsement and art of storytelling for the first time in Turkey. This campaign proved to be the turning point of his career as he managed to get his first break on TV series in 2001; performing a theatre actor who was the first suspect of an unsolved murder in Karanlikta Kosanlar; an acclaimed controversial crime-drama which was ahead of its time . That same year, he received an offer from Uzgunum Leyla, a compelling TV series that culminate a very respected and experienced cast. His performance among such a cast led to his involvement in permanently in drama series, made-for-TV films and movies in the upcoming years. Consecutively, he acted in Unutma Beni (2002), Estagfurullah Yokusu (2003), Crude (2003), O Simdi Asker (2003), Arapsaci (2004), Calinan Ceset (2004), Gece 11.45 (2004), One Day Europe (2004), 24 Saat (2005), Tombala (2005), 5 Vakit (2005), Kabuslar Evi (2006), Ruya Gibi (2006) and Last Looks (2006). Among other highly acclaimed series and movies, he has also been a part of several short films. While appearing in a string of roles on screen, he never lost his passion on acting on stage. He joined a workshop by the Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowsky & Thomas Richards in 2004 and another one by Shizuoka Performing Arts Center members in 2006. Later that year, he acted in Persians (coproduction directed by Theodoros Terzopoulos) in the opening of Theater Olympics in Turkey and Epidaurus Festival in Greece. In 2007, he starred in the trailer of Istanbul International Indepedent Film Festival.
His role in Dudaktan Kalbe (2007), the modern adaptation of 1925 novel by the famous Turkish author Resat Nuri Guntekin, set his career on a path to totally new heights. In this drama, he played the cynical character of the series, Cemil Pasazade, and turned him into someone caring and devoted in the end. Him raising an insignificant character of the novel up to the titular character of the drama and bringing the series to a surprising conclusion, caught the eye of many. Up next for Yigit Ozsener, was joining the A list star studded cast of Ezel in 2009. Ezel was a massive game changer in the Turkish televisions, won several awards and became worldwide popular. (still one of the most exported series to date - more than 80 countries). His portrayal of Cengiz Atay in this number-one-rated series is widely considered to be among the greatest antagonists of all time. This brought him, his first leading role in a movie, Kaybedenler Kulubu (2011) which became a cult in modern Turkish cinematography with its controversial content, non-status-quo thoughts and long conversations without taboos. Despite a love story that falls flat on the scenario based on a true story, the great chemistry between the two leading male actors who provide ample doses of humour as radio programmers while poignantly portraying loneliness in an overcrowded city, took over the show entirely. On the strength of his ability to craft impactful character flaws, Yigit Ozsener acquired a reputation masterfully portraying dark, manipulative, unpredictable, passionate but unappealing figures. On the other hand, casting in supporting roles of other big budget productions in the same period; Gunesi Gordum (2008), Ask Tesadufleri Sever (2010), Dedemin Insanlari (2011), cemented his status as a multi layered character actor. Besides his commitment and popularity on screen during the 2000's, he continued to remain active on stage as well. He had prominent roles in several works. He played in A Trial in Istanbul (2008) based on Kafka's The Trial and Evridike'nin Cigligi (2009) based on Sophocles' Antigone one after another. In 2010, he performed in Forgetting in Ten Steps - AntiPrometeus, a play produced for 2010 World Cultural Capitals. Shortly after he joined a workshop tutored by Natsuko Ohama, David Bridel and Susan Main in 2014, he played in Water's Edge by Theresa Rebeck for two seasons.
Yigit Özsener's acting style remained firmly rooted in his stage technique, led him develop a form of screen acting that was quite stylised. Yet one of his greatest achievements is that he is so persuasive, it is hardly to be catchable. After a series of TV and cinema performances with diverse range of roles that followed the years; Son (2012), Intikam (2013), Two Faces of January (2013), Yuz Yillik Muhur (2015), Cesur ve Guzel (2016), Bir Kahramanin Ruyasi (2016), Ise Yarar Bir Sey (2016) and Kaybedenler Kulubu Yolda (2018), he landed his debut role on digital platforms. He took on the lead role in an original BlueTV series; Bozkir (2018). In this 10 episode crime story, Yigit Özsener starred as Seyfi Amir who is an experienced police officer with a rookie partner, investigates a serial killer with a fondness for leaving weird evidence after murdering children in a small town. The spooky setting and strong chemistry between the lead actors, pretty much captured viewers and critics interest. He burst back into commercials as the brand ambassador of Dacia (automative) and portraying a wise and off-the-beaten track man in the branded series on TV and the digital ads.
Recently, he is on stage with two plays; Waiting For Godot (2016) and IO (2019) by Studio Players (both of which premiered at Istanbul International Theater Festival on consecutive editions) and on screen with a new prime time TV series Ramo (2020) and Dacia commercials. Yigit Özsener is also a sought after voiceover artist for commercials and audio-book streaming services. On top of that, he has not limited his professional career to just acting, as he is a committed environmentalist, who is active volunteer and ambassador of TEMA foundation (preventing erosion, reforestation and protection of natural habitats).
His earliest credit roles on television were commercials; first he became the face of Turk.net campaign (telecommunication). Next, he starred in the branded mini series of Turkcell (leading communication and technology provider) which was a highly successful campaign that embraces celebrity endorsement and art of storytelling for the first time in Turkey. This campaign proved to be the turning point of his career as he managed to get his first break on TV series in 2001; performing a theatre actor who was the first suspect of an unsolved murder in Karanlikta Kosanlar; an acclaimed controversial crime-drama which was ahead of its time . That same year, he received an offer from Uzgunum Leyla, a compelling TV series that culminate a very respected and experienced cast. His performance among such a cast led to his involvement in permanently in drama series, made-for-TV films and movies in the upcoming years. Consecutively, he acted in Unutma Beni (2002), Estagfurullah Yokusu (2003), Crude (2003), O Simdi Asker (2003), Arapsaci (2004), Calinan Ceset (2004), Gece 11.45 (2004), One Day Europe (2004), 24 Saat (2005), Tombala (2005), 5 Vakit (2005), Kabuslar Evi (2006), Ruya Gibi (2006) and Last Looks (2006). Among other highly acclaimed series and movies, he has also been a part of several short films. While appearing in a string of roles on screen, he never lost his passion on acting on stage. He joined a workshop by the Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowsky & Thomas Richards in 2004 and another one by Shizuoka Performing Arts Center members in 2006. Later that year, he acted in Persians (coproduction directed by Theodoros Terzopoulos) in the opening of Theater Olympics in Turkey and Epidaurus Festival in Greece. In 2007, he starred in the trailer of Istanbul International Indepedent Film Festival.
His role in Dudaktan Kalbe (2007), the modern adaptation of 1925 novel by the famous Turkish author Resat Nuri Guntekin, set his career on a path to totally new heights. In this drama, he played the cynical character of the series, Cemil Pasazade, and turned him into someone caring and devoted in the end. Him raising an insignificant character of the novel up to the titular character of the drama and bringing the series to a surprising conclusion, caught the eye of many. Up next for Yigit Ozsener, was joining the A list star studded cast of Ezel in 2009. Ezel was a massive game changer in the Turkish televisions, won several awards and became worldwide popular. (still one of the most exported series to date - more than 80 countries). His portrayal of Cengiz Atay in this number-one-rated series is widely considered to be among the greatest antagonists of all time. This brought him, his first leading role in a movie, Kaybedenler Kulubu (2011) which became a cult in modern Turkish cinematography with its controversial content, non-status-quo thoughts and long conversations without taboos. Despite a love story that falls flat on the scenario based on a true story, the great chemistry between the two leading male actors who provide ample doses of humour as radio programmers while poignantly portraying loneliness in an overcrowded city, took over the show entirely. On the strength of his ability to craft impactful character flaws, Yigit Ozsener acquired a reputation masterfully portraying dark, manipulative, unpredictable, passionate but unappealing figures. On the other hand, casting in supporting roles of other big budget productions in the same period; Gunesi Gordum (2008), Ask Tesadufleri Sever (2010), Dedemin Insanlari (2011), cemented his status as a multi layered character actor. Besides his commitment and popularity on screen during the 2000's, he continued to remain active on stage as well. He had prominent roles in several works. He played in A Trial in Istanbul (2008) based on Kafka's The Trial and Evridike'nin Cigligi (2009) based on Sophocles' Antigone one after another. In 2010, he performed in Forgetting in Ten Steps - AntiPrometeus, a play produced for 2010 World Cultural Capitals. Shortly after he joined a workshop tutored by Natsuko Ohama, David Bridel and Susan Main in 2014, he played in Water's Edge by Theresa Rebeck for two seasons.
Yigit Özsener's acting style remained firmly rooted in his stage technique, led him develop a form of screen acting that was quite stylised. Yet one of his greatest achievements is that he is so persuasive, it is hardly to be catchable. After a series of TV and cinema performances with diverse range of roles that followed the years; Son (2012), Intikam (2013), Two Faces of January (2013), Yuz Yillik Muhur (2015), Cesur ve Guzel (2016), Bir Kahramanin Ruyasi (2016), Ise Yarar Bir Sey (2016) and Kaybedenler Kulubu Yolda (2018), he landed his debut role on digital platforms. He took on the lead role in an original BlueTV series; Bozkir (2018). In this 10 episode crime story, Yigit Özsener starred as Seyfi Amir who is an experienced police officer with a rookie partner, investigates a serial killer with a fondness for leaving weird evidence after murdering children in a small town. The spooky setting and strong chemistry between the lead actors, pretty much captured viewers and critics interest. He burst back into commercials as the brand ambassador of Dacia (automative) and portraying a wise and off-the-beaten track man in the branded series on TV and the digital ads.
Recently, he is on stage with two plays; Waiting For Godot (2016) and IO (2019) by Studio Players (both of which premiered at Istanbul International Theater Festival on consecutive editions) and on screen with a new prime time TV series Ramo (2020) and Dacia commercials. Yigit Özsener is also a sought after voiceover artist for commercials and audio-book streaming services. On top of that, he has not limited his professional career to just acting, as he is a committed environmentalist, who is active volunteer and ambassador of TEMA foundation (preventing erosion, reforestation and protection of natural habitats).
