Turkish actor Akyürek nominated for International Emmy Award

NEW YORK

The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences recently announced that Turkish actor Engin Akyürek has been nominated in the “Best Performance by an Actor” category for the 2015 International Emmy Awards. 

This is Akyürek’s first nomination for the prestigious prize, which was bestowed up on him for his stirring performance in the popular Turkish television series “Kara Para Aşk” (Black Money Love).

Set in Istanbul, the series follows police officer Ömer Demir (played by Akyürek) as he investigates his fiancé’s murder. Widely acclaimed for his raw, believable performance in the role, Akyürek was named Turkey’s most promising actor by the Turkish Film Critics Association. He was also recently named Best Actor at the Seoul International Drama Awards.

A total of 40 nominees have been selected, spanning 10 categories and 19 countries, for the International Emmy Awards. Winners will be announced at a black-tie ceremony on Nov. 23 in New York. 

In 2014, Turkish actress Tuba Büyüküstün was nominated in the “Best Performance by an Actress” category at the International Emmys, Turkey’s first nomination for television’s highest honors.

Büyüküstün had been nominated for her role as a young mother of two who runs a pastry shop and leads a happy life with her husband, a history teacher, in the Star TV drama series “20 Dakika” (20 Minutes).

Turkey’s domestic television business, booming in recent years due to substantial investments from the country’s major broadcast networks, has certainly caught the attention of international producers. Recent high-profile films filmed in part in Turkey include the James Bond hit “Skyfall,” Russell Crowe’s “The Water Diviner” and Ben Affleck’s “Argo.” With its hard-working, inexpensive crews and stunning urban and rural locations, the country hosts an array of opportunities for the industry. 

Istanbul alone is home to such marvels as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace. Outside the city, sites like Cappadocia, the thermal pools in Pamukkale and the Turkish Riviera provide fantastic film backdrops.