Hakan Boyav has participated in various productions in the fields of theater, television, and cinema. He has simultaneously pursued acting, directing, and cartoon art. He continues his professional work within the Ankara State Theatre. He began his professional career in state theaters and has produced in multiple artistic disciplines. He has been working within the Turkish State Theaters for many years and has taken roles in various television projects.

Life and Education

Hakan Boyav was born on January 10, 1964, in Ödemiş, İzmir. After graduating from Suphi Koyuncuoğlu High School, he earned a degree in Stage and Visual Arts from Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Fine Arts in 1987. During his university years, he worked as a cartoonist and humor columnist for a local newspaper.

Theater Career

In 1988, Boyav joined the founding team of Diyarbakır State Theater. After serving there until 1993, he transferred to Antalya State Theater, and later to Ankara State Theater in 2003, where he still works as a permanent artist. He has directed numerous stage plays, including Sersem Kocanın Kurnaz Karısı, Müfettiş, Ayyar Hamza, Gergedan, Matruşka, and Rezervuar Kanişleri. His play Çiçek Çölü received an Honorable Mention in the 1987 Suat Taşer Dramatic Writing Awards.

Cartoon Work

Boyav has also been active in cartoon art, having held two solo exhibitions and published a cartoon album. He won the Abdi İpekçi Peace and Friendship Award in 1988 and the Yunus Nadi Cartoon Award in 1989.

Personal Life

Hakan Boyav is married and has two children. He resides in Ankara with his family.

Television Series

• The Mansion with Vines (Asmalı Konak) – 2002
• Tangled (Arapsaçı) – 2004
• Dawn Hour (Seher Vakti) – 2004
• Thief and Cop (Hırsız Polis) – 2005–2007
• The Storm (Fırtına) – 2006
• The Madman of the Mountains (Dağlar Delisi) – 2007
• The Wall (Duvar) – 2007
• The Heartless Man (Kalpsiz Adam) – 2008
• Night and Day (Gece Gündüz) – 2008
• The Lady’s Farm (Hanımın Çiftliği) – 2009–2011
• Valley of the Wolves: Ambush (Kurtlar Vadisi Pusu) – 2011–2014
• White Carnation (Beyaz Karanfil) – 2014
• Winter Sun (Kış Güneşi) – 2016
• Amber (Kehribar) – 2016
• The Last Emperor: Abdulhamid (Payitaht Abdülhamid) – 2017–2021
• The Man from Maraş (Maraşlı) – 2021
• The Agency (Teşkilat) – 2021–2022
• The Balkan Lullaby (Balkan Ninnisi) – 2022
• Nine Oguz (Dokuz Oğuz) – 2023
• The Legend of Karaağaç (Karaağaç Destanı) – 2024

Movies

• A Love Story (Bir Aşk Hikayesi) – 2004
• There is a Thief! (Hırsız Var!) – 2005
• At the Bar (Barda) – 2007
• Don’t Be Afraid of Life (Hayattan Korkma) – 2007
• The Governor (Vali) – 2008
• Black Field (Black Field) – 2009
• The International (The International) – 2009
• Dragon Trap (Ejder Kapanı) – 2009
• I Can’t Sleep While the Moon is Growing (Ay Büyürken Uyuyamam) – 2011
• Behzat Ç.: I Buried You in My Heart (Behzat Ç.: Seni Kalbime Gömdüm) – 2011
• Fed Up With Hunger (Açlığa Doymak) – 2012
• Cingöz Recai: Return of a Legend (Cingöz Recai: Bir Efsanenin Dönüşü) – 2017

Awards

• Suat Taşer Dramatic Writing Honorable Mention (Çiçek Çölü) - 1987
• Ankara Art Institution Best Supporting Actor Award (Good) - 1995
• Critics Association Best Director Award (Sersem Kocanın Kurnaz Karısı) - 2004