Hande Erçel
Who is Hande Erçel?
Hande Erçel is a Turkish actress born on November 24, 1993, in Bandırma. She has become one of the most popular and admired actresses in Turkey, known for her performances in both romantic and dramatic Turkish TV series. Her natural beauty and effortless charm quickly opened the doors to an international career.
Before becoming an actress, Hande studied Fine Arts at Mimar Sinan University in Istanbul. She first started as a model, before attracting attention on Turkish television. Her career truly took off with the series Güneşin Kızları (Sunshine Girls), in which she played Selin Yılmaz. Since then, she has built an impressive career and remains one of the most-followed Turkish celebrities on social media.
Hande Erçel’s Most Popular Turkish Series
Over the years, Hande Erçel has starred in several Turkish dramas that achieved both national and international success.
- Güneşin Kızları (Sunshine Girls) : as Selin Yılmaz, her first major role and her rise to fame.
- Aşk Laftan Anlamaz (Love Doesn’t Understand Words) : as Hayat Uzun, alongside Burak Deniz. This romantic comedy became a massive hit in many countries.
- Siyah İnci (Black Pearl) : a romantic drama where she portrayed Hazal Şulabi.
- Halka (The Circle) : a crime and thriller series that allowed her to break away from the romantic genre, playing Müjde Akay.
- Azize : a short but intense drama, co-starring Bugra Gülsoy, where she played Azize Günay.
- Sen Çal Kapımı (Love Is in the Air / You Knock on My Door) : her biggest international success, where she starred as Eda Yıldız opposite Kerem Bürsin.
- Bambaşka Biri (Another Love) : a romantic crime drama with Burak Deniz, highly praised in 2023.
- Aşk ve Gözyaşı (Love and Tears) : an upcoming romantic series set for 2025, co-starring Barış Arduç.
- Aşkı Hatırla (Reminder) : a Disney+ original series where she plays Güneş, alongside Barış Arduç.
Complete List of TV Series
| Year | Series (Original Title + English) | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Çalıkuşu (The Wren / Love Bird) | Zahide |
| 2014 | Çılgın Dersane Üniversitede (no official English title) | Meryem |
| 2014 | Hayat Ağacı (Tree of Life) | Selen |
| 2015 | Güneşin Kızları (Sunshine Girls) | Selin Yılmaz |
| 2016–2017 | Aşk Laftan Anlamaz (Love Doesn’t Understand Words) | Hayat Uzun |
| 2017 | Siyah İnci (Black Pearl) | Hazal Şulabi |
| 2019 | Halka (The Circle) | Müjde Akay |
| 2019 | Azize | Azize Günay |
| 2020–2021 | Sen Çal Kapımı (Love Is in the Air / You Knock on My Door) | Eda Yıldız |
| 2023–2024 | Bambaşka Biri (Another Love) | Leyla Gediz |
| 2025 | Aşk ve Gözyaşı (Love and Tears) | Meyra Aksel Keskin |
| 2025 | Aşkı Hatırla (Reminder) | Güneş |
Her Films
While Hande Erçel is mostly known for her work on television, she has also begun appearing in films in recent years.
| Year | Film (Original Title + English) | Role |
| 2020 | Mest-i Aşk (Intoxicated by Love) : a Turkish-Iranian historical film | Kimya Hatun |
| 2025 | Rüzgara Bırak (Chasing the Wind) | Aslı Mansoy |
Popularity and Recent Projects
Hande Erçel is one of the most-followed Turkish actresses on Instagram, with millions of fans around the world. Her on-screen and real-life relationship with Kerem Bürsin (Love Is in the Air) further increased her fame, especially in Spain, Latin America, and France.
In 2024, she made a strong comeback with the drama İki Yabancı (Two Strangers), confirming her position among the most influential Turkish actresses of her generation.
Brand Collaborations and Endorsements
Thanks to her popularity and elegance, Hande Erçel has become a major advertising icon in Turkey. She has collaborated with global brands such as Magnum, as well as top fashion, beauty, and jewelry companies. Her influence goes far beyond television. she’s now seen as a modern cultural figure representing Turkish glamour and style.
Hande Erçel’s Love Life
Hande Erçel’s love life has often made headlines. She famously dated Kerem Bürsin (Turkish actor), her co-star in Love Is in the Air. Their real-life romance captivated fans worldwide.
Later, she was in a long-term relationship with Hakan Sabancı, a businessman from one of Turkey’s wealthiest and most influential families. The couple was together for about three years before breaking up in August 2025.
Reports suggested disagreements about marriage with Hande allegedly ready to settle down. Some rumors claimed that Hakan’s mother, Arzu Sabancı, disapproved of the relationship, although she later denied any interference, saying the breakup was strictly between the two.
After the separation, both deleted their shared photos on Instagram, clearly showing their wish to move on privately.
