Gülse Birsel was born on 11 March 1971 in Istanbul as the third child of lawyer Gültekin Şener and homemaker Semiha Şener. After completing her secondary education at Beyoğlu Anadolu High School, she set aside her dream of acting at her family’s request and enrolled in the Economics Department at Boğaziçi University, from which she graduated. During her university years, she took her first step in her career by working as a reporter for Aktüel magazine. In addition to her endeavors as an actress and screenwriter, Birsel also works as a columnist and text writer.

Education and Journalism Career

After university, Birsel pursued her dreams by undertaking a master’s degree in cinema at Columbia University in New York between 1994 and 1996. Upon returning to Türkiye, she assumed editorial duties at Aktüel magazine and contributed articles to other periodicals and newspapers. In 1996, she served as publishing director for magazines such as Esquire and Harper’s Bazaar. She began her career as a columnist in 2001 at Sabah newspaper and continued writing there until 2012. Since 30 March 2013, she has been a columnist for Hürriyet newspaper.

Gülse Birsel (Anadolu Agency)

Television and Film Career

Gülse Birsel entered the world of television as the writer and narrator of the comedy program G.A.G., which aired from March 2002 to March 2004. In 2003, she made her acting debut alongside Levent Özdilek in the series Eyvah Eski Kocam. She served as both screenwriter and actress portraying the character ‘Aslı Sütçüoğlu’ in European Side. This endeavor was followed by False World and the series Jet Sosyete, in which she again took on both writing and acting roles. One of her projects as a screenwriter that also featured her as an actress was the film Aile Arasında. She subsequently wrote and acted in the film Yılbaşı Gecesi. Currently, she is working on the sequel to Aile Arasında 2 and developing a new sitcom project.

Films and Series 

Actress

2003 - Eyvah Eski Kocam (Nilüfer) (Series)

2004 - Hırsız Var (Binnur Ersöz) (Film)

2004-2009 - Avrupa Yakası (Aslı Sütçüoğlu) (Series) (Actress, Screenwriter)

2009 - 7 Kocalı Hürmüz (Safinaz) (Film)

2009 - Ah Kalbim (Guest Actress) (Series)

2012-2014 - Yalan Dünya (Deniz) (Series) (Actress, Screenwriter)

2015 - Komedi Türkiye (Juror) (TV Program)

2017 - Aile Arasında (Mihriban) (Film)

2018 - Jet Sosyete (Gizem) (TV Series)

Screenwriter

2004-2009 - Avrupa Yakası (TV Series)

2012-2014 - Yalan Dünya (TV Series)

2017 - Aile Arasında (Film)

2018 - Jet Sosyete (TV Series)

Books 

2003 - Gayet Ciddiyim

2004 - Hâlâ Ciddiyim

2005 - Yolculuk Nereye Hemşerim?

2009 - Velev ki Ciddiyim

2011 - Yazlık (Green Cover)

2011 - Yazlık (Pink Cover)

2016 - Memleketi Ben Kurtaracağım!

2024 - Beni Gözünüzde Büyütmeyin

Awards and Nominations

Throughout her career, Gülse Birsel has received recognition from numerous institutions and organizations both as a screenwriter and as an actress. Below are her awards and nominations:

Golden Butterfly Awards (7 Wins, 10 Nominations)

• 2005 - Best TV Comedy Female Actress (Avrupa Yakası) (Won)
• 2006 - Best TV Comedy Female Actress (Avrupa Yakası) (Won)
• 2012 - Best Screenwriter (Yalan Dünya) (Won)
• 2013 - Best Comedy TV Series (Nominee) (Yalan Dünya)
• 2018 - Best Comedy Female Actress (Nominee) (Jet Sosyete)
• 2018 - Best TV Comedy (Nominee) (Jet Sosyete)
• 2019 - Best Female Actress in a Comedy Series (Nominee) (Jet Sosyete)
• 2019 - Best Screenplay (Nominee) (Jet Sosyete)

Türkiye Gençlik Ödülleri

• 2015 - Best Screenwriter (Yalan Dünya) (Won)
• 2018 - Best Female Actress (Nominee) (Aile Arasında)
• 2018 - Best Screenwriter (Nominee) (Aile Arasında)

International İzmir Film Festival

• 2018 - Best Screenplay (Aile Arasında) (Won)
• 2020 - Best Female Actress (TV Series) (Nominee) (Jet Sosyete)
• 2020 - Best Screenplay (TV Series) (Nominee) (Jet Sosyete)

Other Awards and Nominations

• 2013 - ELLE Style Award - Best Female Actress (Yalan Dünya) (Won)
• 2015 - Kemal Sunal Culture and Art Award - Best Columnist (Won)
• 2018 - Altın Palmiye Awards - Best Comedy Artist (Nominee)