Helin Elveren – Exclusive Interview

For our July issue, Eda Akça spoke with Helin Elveren, one of the stars of Torn Apart.

Shaped by loss, coincidence, and unfinished stories, Torn Apart defines its characters not only through what they experience, but also through the burdens they carry from their pasts. Since its premiere, the series has become one of the most talked-about productions on social media alongside its ratings success. Moving through the relationships built between characters from different backgrounds, the series has especially stood out thanks to the performances of its young cast.

Despite being at the very beginning of her career, following her role as Sezin in Reborn, Helin Elveren now appears before audiences as Deniz in Torn Apart. We spoke with the young actress, who brings to life Deniz, a rebellious young woman carrying responsibilities far beyond her age, along with the weight of neglected love and the desire to be understood, about her acting journey, the emotional world of her character, Deniz’s relationships with Aras and Teoman, the atmosphere on set in Bodrum, and the methods she embraces while preparing for a role.

Deniz has a very strong sense of justice. She’s someone who isn’t afraid to call out what’s wrong and stand up for what’s right. No matter how much she loves Aras, she would never go behind his back or hide the truth simply because her feelings aren’t reciprocated. Her principles don’t change, no matter who she’s dealing with. That’s one of the things I love most about Deniz. Even when she acts on her emotions, she never compromises her conscience.”

As an actress who’s still at the beginning of her journey, let’s start there. How did acting begin for you? Was it a childhood dream, or something that took shape over time?

It wasn’t a childhood dream, but it gradually became a passion. In fact, I see it a bit like fate. I wasn’t a very confident person growing up. Looking back now, I realize it was always inside me. My mom used to have my sister and me imitate people all the time. She even wanted to send me to acting classes when I was little.

I would act things out in front of the mirror by myself, but I never had the courage to do it in front of other people. Looking back now, I realize that passion was always there. This journey unfolded so beautifully over time that today I feel much braver and much more at peace. At this point in my life, I believe acting is where I can express myself best.

Looking back on your very first day on set, what do you think is the biggest difference between the Helin of that day and the Helin of today?

Experience, of course. I’m still at the beginning of the road, but I’m trying to learn everything I possibly can. I would say I’m someone who’s much more confident and takes each step with greater certainty.

While Torn Apart tells a coming-of-age story, it also reveals the emotional burdens its characters carry. Deniz, the character you portray, may seem rebellious and tough, but as we get to know her, we realize she’s carrying responsibilities far beyond her years. When you first read the script, what was it about Deniz that affected you most and made you connect with her?

Her relationship with her family. I think one of the biggest issues many 15- or 16-year-olds face today is the bond they have with their families. That’s what drew me to Deniz. We’ve all gone through periods like that. We push back against our families and feel misunderstood. Sometimes we have good reasons, sometimes we don’t, but at that age, it’s hard to tell the difference. We look for the love, attention, and peace we can’t find at home in our friends or somewhere else.

Deniz is in exactly that kind of emotional void, and that really touched me. Instead of judging her, I tried to understand her. I think many young people will see a part of themselves in her because, at some point, we’ve all just wanted to be understood and feel like we belonged.

Your two consecutive roles, Sezin in Reborn and Deniz in Torn Apart, both grew up lacking a mother’s affection. How do you think that kind of absence shapes the way someone loves, trusts, and holds on to life? As an actress, what did you pay attention to while portraying the same emotional wound through two different characters?

Sezin was in her twenties, while Deniz is only sixteen. I try to portray Deniz by keeping both her childhood and the weight of those responsibilities in mind. Sezin was more indifferent, someone who had accepted that some things would never change. Deniz isn’t like that. She’s still very young and still has hope and excitement about life.

As for that sense of absence, I think family is the most important factor in shaping a child’s future, the way they connect with people, and their outlook on life. Feeling loved and secure is incredibly important. When you don’t receive that love and security as a child, you may start looking for it in the wrong situations and the wrong people. You find it difficult to trust others, and before that, you struggle to trust yourself.

I don’t think what we experience in childhood ever truly leaves us. As we grow older, we continue carrying those experiences in different ways. Some people turn them into anger, others suppress them, and some struggle to believe they deserve love. That’s why it’s so important for a child to feel valued and know they’re loved unconditionally. It becomes the foundation of every relationship they’ll build in the future. I truly believe that the love and sense of security we receive from our family is one of the greatest sources of strength in life.

Is Deniz’s attachment to Aras really about love, or is it more about finally feeling seen and understood by someone for the first time? How would you describe her feelings?

At that age, I don’t think it’s very likely to experience what we would call true love. So I see it more as the feeling of being seen and understood for the first time, maybe even being genuinely needed by someone for the first time. Aras protects Deniz, looks after her, tells her everything, and asks for her help. He doesn’t treat her like an extra person in his life; he sees her as someone walking beside him.

I think, for the first time, Deniz experiences what it feels like to have such an important place in someone’s life. That feeling of being valued makes her start developing feelings for Aras. Maybe it’s too early to call it love, but feeling appreciated, useful, and like she belongs makes her fall for him.

We’re working with an amazing team and wonderful mentors. Everyone’s effort and support mean a lot to us. We take our work very seriously, but we also enjoy ourselves. I think that gives us more freedom as actors. We feel more comfortable, freer, and safer. That atmosphere of trust naturally finds its way into the work we do.”

Even though Deniz has feelings for Aras, she doesn’t hide the truth about Leyla from him. What do you think that choice tells us about the way Deniz loves and about who she is? Would you have made the same decision?

Deniz has a very strong sense of justice. She’s someone who isn’t afraid to call out what’s wrong and stand up for what’s right. No matter how much she loves Aras, she would never go behind his back or hide the truth simply because her feelings aren’t reciprocated. Her principles don’t change, no matter who she’s dealing with. That’s one of the things I love most about Deniz. Even when she acts on her emotions, she never compromises her conscience. If I were in her place, I would have made the same decision. It might have hurt in the moment, but being able to respect myself afterward would matter more to me.

When they first meet, Deniz and Teoman seem like complete opposites. Yet they both carry similar wounds from their pasts. How do you think those shared wounds, and the tension between them, will shape their relationship?

I think the strongest bonds often begin that way. At first, you have prejudices about each other. Sometimes you even hate each other. But as you get to know one another, you start understanding why the other person behaves the way they do. Eventually, you realize you’re carrying the same wounds and the same emotional gaps. I think that’s what brings people closest together. As Deniz and Teoman begin to understand one another, I think the tension between them will evolve into something very different. It’s still too early, but once they truly see each other, I believe their relationship will change completely.

If you had the chance to sit down and talk with Deniz, what would you say to her?

First, I’d give her a big hug. Then I’d tell her I understand how heavy and difficult everything she’s carrying is for someone her age. But I’d also encourage her to start thinking about herself. She’s always trying to save everyone else and carry everyone else’s burdens, while constantly putting herself last. Sometimes, you have to take care of yourself before you can truly take care of others. I’d tell her she doesn’t have to carry every responsibility alone, and that asking for help, or admitting she’s tired, isn’t a weakness. Most of all, I’d want her to know she’s not alone.

You’re filming in Bodrum. How has working in another city with a cast made up largely of young actors contributed to the project? Can you tell us a bit about the atmosphere both on and off set?

I think it has brought a great sense of authenticity and realism to the project because we’re actually not that far removed from the characters we portray or the emotions they’re experiencing. We can all bring something of ourselves into our performances, and that makes everything feel much more genuine.

We’re working with an amazing team and wonderful mentors. Everyone’s effort and support mean a lot to us. We take our work very seriously, but we also enjoy ourselves. I think that gives us more freedom as actors. We feel more comfortable, freer, and safer. That atmosphere of trust naturally finds its way into the work we do.

You’ve mentioned that you “manifested” getting the role of Deniz. Do you have any preparation rituals or little lucky habits that help you enter the world of a new character?

Yes, that’s pretty much what happened. I believe that if you say something enough and truly believe in it, you’ll somehow attract it into your life. So I kept wishing for Deniz and talking about her constantly. Whenever I prepare for a new character, I first try to understand their past. What happened to make them the person they are today? Why do they behave the way they do? Knowing those things helps me a lot. I also love listening to music that fits the character. Sometimes a single song is enough to pull me into that world and help me feel the character’s emotions more deeply.

Is there a character you’ve always dreamed of playing, or a type of story you’d love to be part of?

I’d really love to be part of a story set in a psychiatric hospital. Characters with psychological depth always interest me because they challenge me as an actress. Trying to understand a world I’ve never experienced before, doing extensive research, and fully preparing for a character excites me. It might require me to focus entirely on that role for a long time and go through a lengthy preparation process. I’d love to portray someone completely different from myself in the most authentic way possible.

What have you been watching or reading lately to nourish yourself creatively? Has there been a film, series, or book that particularly affected you?

To be honest, we’ve been working so intensely lately that I haven’t had much time to feed myself creatively. So I can’t really say I’ve been watching or reading many new things. But there is one book and one animated film that have deeply affected me. The book is Woman at Point Zero, and the animation is Grave of the Fireflies. Both stay with you long after they’re over and leave a deep emotional impact. They’re the kind of stories that allow you to empathize with the characters and keep you thinking even after you’ve finished them.

Whenever I prepare for a new character, I first try to understand their past. What happened to make them the person they are today? Why do they behave the way they do? Knowing those things helps me a lot. I also love listening to music that fits the character. Sometimes a single song is enough to pull me into that world and help me feel the character’s emotions more deeply.”