Selin Türkmen

You're presenting works that have lifted television out of that fast-paced consumer era and left their mark on digital platforms. What kind of character do you dream of playing, the one that you think would truly transform you in your career?

Specifically, the character I'd like to portray is definitely one that will make me think a lot, one that is psychologically multifaceted and challenging. I would love to bring to life a character that could reveal all the emotions I haven't discovered or suppressed in myself before. In today's world and era, due to our living conditions, we are mostly focused on hiding our emotions. We don't easily show our weaknesses to others; we're always after a mask. Therefore, when I go on stage, lowering my guard and reflecting that suppressed or hidden emotion is something that nourishes me psychologically. That's why, as I said, I'm open to any role that can reveal suppressed emotions.

At a very young age, you're at the center of one of Türkiye's most watched and sociologically debated shows. What has this early success taught you about understanding people, fame, and your own soul?

We are human; both are inevitable. I have to say I feel a little lucky about this. It was a truly successful project and my first foray into the world of acting. I never considered it an individual achievement because we were a team, and I always saw it as a team success. We actually started at the top as a team, so naturally, I never saw it otherwise. In the first two years of my career, I constantly oscillated between comfort and anxiety. Now, I can keep my inner world more under control. I can balance comfort and anxiety much more effectively and continue my life in its normal course.

Looking at your social media account, we see a natural, sincere Selin who lives in the moment. Is this a conscious choice? How do you protect yourself from the pressure of 'perfection' in the digital world?

I don't know if the Selin on social media is exactly me. It's actually a perception system. We post moments when we're happy, we share photos where we look good. People aren't just that. Neither am I. Although it often really bothers me, I've accepted it. When it pushes my tolerance to the limit, I simply stop using social media. In short, I can say I consciously distance myself.

What do you think is the most important thing your legal education has added to your acting or your outlook on life?

Ah, that's a difficult question. While living life, my character, my field of study, my profession… they all intertwine. I believe law has given me a very different perspective. It couldn't be otherwise. There's me, and then there are the truths I've learned. These two sometimes clash when dealing with life, but I still find my way without letting anyone know. There's one point where my field of study and my character are very compatible: unfortunately, I'm an extremely controlling person. I mostly can't just surrender to life and let it flow. If I think like that about something, it probably means I don't care about it. Maybe I'm young and that's why I think this way; maybe I'll become a more submissive person in the future, I don't know. Right now, I'm like this, and I love myself that way.

In "Kızılcık Şerbeti," the organic bond between mother and daughter, and in "Karadut," the bond between sister and brother, is very clearly conveyed on screen. Did you put in extra effort to capture that chemistry behind the camera, or did this synergy arise spontaneously?

We already get along very well in our own lives. That inevitably reflects on screen. Frankly, none of us put in extra effort for it. It's a spontaneous, effortless energy, and it's valuable when it happens spontaneously.

Between your intense work schedule, being visible, and constantly producing, what balances you the most? What keeps the real Selin going?

Don't let my sharp self-description fool you. I'm someone who can enjoy spending time alone, doing activities by myself, and doesn't easily get bored of myself. Because of this, that reality doesn't easily break down. And on the other hand, my friendships are very long-standing. That's the most special thing that grounds me. Being with people who know me in every way, who have known me for a very long time, and whom I love as much as family, maintains my inner balance. I can't tell you that I like painting, doing this sport, traveling, meditating… No. Those things happen. Yes, people should be able to be alone with themselves, but the need for human connection shouldn't be overlooked either.

If today's Selin had the chance to say just one sentence to the Selin at the beginning of her career, what would she say?

That Selin was very impatient, very hasty. I would say, 'Okay, yes, you're controlling, but calm down a little. Everything happens for a reason anyway. Trust yourself, keep yourself under control. Don't try to control events that happen outside of your control.'