Nilay Erdönmez

Nilay Erdönmez was born on 12 May 1986 in Istanbul. In 2007 she graduated from the theatre department of the Istanbul State Conservatory at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, and in 2011 completed a master's degree in theatre arts at the same institution. She deepened her theatrical training working with, among others, Zeliha Berksoy, a noted figure in the epic theatre tradition. She made her screen debut in 2007 in the series "Güzel Günler." She appeared in the productions "Yılanlar ve Güvercinler," "Bir Zamanlar Osmanlı Kıyam," "Sevdaluk" (as Emine and Nihan), "Mezarcı," and "İstanbullu Gelin" (as Asiye). In 2012 she played Seher in the film "Gözetleme Kulesi," for which she won multiple Best Actress awards, including at the Adana Golden Boll International Film Festival (Altın Koza) as well as festivals in Nuremberg, Brasília, the United States, and elsewhere. For her role as Kader in the film "Yüzleşme" she won a second Golden Boll award, this time for Best Supporting Actress. She won Best Actress at the Kocaeli Film Festival for her role in "Rosinante," and received the Breakout Actress of the Year award at the Lider Marka Ödülleri for her roles in "Şahmaran" and "Gülcemal." In Netflix's "Şahmaran" she played the role of Hare, reaching an international audience. In 2023 she played Gülendam in the series "Gülcemal," and also appeared in "Tehlikeli Karım" (as Commissioner İpek). She currently appears in the series "Yeraltı" as Aslı Kartal. She developed her own methodology called "TiyatroYoga," combining acting with nervous system regulation and somatic awareness; she is known as a "method" actress who builds her characters both mentally and physically. Besides acting, she also works as a director, has taught at theatre studios since 2006, and specializes in public speaking and diction. She keeps her personal life and marital status private.