Yıldız is a proud and a strong woman but she also feels also deeply vulnerable. Which side of her affected you the most while building such a layered character?
Biran Damla Yılmaz: Yıldız is someone who never gives up on her dreams. She has a life she wants to live and she truly believes she deserves it. She looks at things through the perspective of “everything is fair if it gets me closer to what I want.” What really struck me is her drive, that belief that one day she’ll truly feel she’s living the life she’s always imagined, the life she deserves. Because she never gives up. She breaks down at times, but she always finds a way to stand up again. And despite everything, she doesn’t lose her joy. What touches me most about Yıldız is that even after everything she’s been through, she still holds on to her hope and dreams, and never lets go of her joy for life.
Biran Damla Yılmaz: “What touches me most about Yıldız is that even after everything she’s been through, she still holds on to her hope and dreams, and never lets go of her joy for life.”
At the beginning of the series, we see Yıldız’s anger toward Serhat, but underneath it, there’s still love and passion. How do you make sense of this complex relationship?
Biran Damla Yılmaz: Yıldız dealt with everything on her own in Serhat’s absence. She’s the one who grew up under the weight of broken promises and constant pressure. That’s why, at the start of the story, she’s the woman who finally says, “I’ve had enough.” Was she angry with Serhat? She was hurt by the fact that he refused to face reality, that he never took responsibility for anything. And on top of that came his sudden marriage, which turned everything upside down. Still, there’s a place between them where they genuinely support each other, and they do it with kindness. In the end, they share the same fate. And the more that bond pulls them together, the stronger their passion becomes.
How do you think Yıldız and Serhat’s relationship will evolve?
Biran Damla Yılmaz: Both of them have become each other’s weakness. Because of that, their relationship will sometimes pull them closer and sometimes push them apart, otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to keep the audience curious. In Halef, no relationship follows a linear line; anything can happen at any moment. The connection between Serhat and Yıldız is constantly shaped by these shifting dynamics, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. But what I can say is that there are plenty of intense, and exciting episodes waiting for the viewers.
We’ve seen many series built around tribal stories, it’s a theme that’s been on screen since the early 2000s, and some of those shows have been truly successful. Halef is also doing very well in both ratings and audience response. What do you think makes it stand out?
Biran Damla Yılmaz: Halef is often described as a tribal story, but I think it’s much more than that. From the very first episode, our producer, director, and writer, the whole team, built a world that feels almost magical. Beneath that fairytale-like atmosphere, lies a story filled with intense power struggles. As we often say in the series: when it comes to Halef, there are only two paths: power or death. Everyone in this story is fighting to survive. There are no purely good or bad characters; everyone is chasing power, or in other words, trying to hold on to their own life. Of course, love, intrigue, action, drama, and even a bit of humor come with it. Just like in real life.
As you know, Turkish series today reach so many countries and regions, they’re loved all around the world. Where do you think Halef connects most with international audiences?
Biran Damla Yılmaz: To be honest, I think that connection has already started. Everything we receive from our viewers and fans means the world to us. Getting such wonderful feedback from different parts of the world this early on makes us incredibly happy, and it also gives us even more motivation to stay fully committed to our craft, and to our characters.
This exclusive interview with Biran Damla Yılmaz was featured in Episode Magazine’s MIP Cancun 2025 issue.
