Giving an interview to Brazil for the first time, Umut Kurt talks about the success of the Netflix series, where he plays the comic character Erdem and a possible third season in Brazil
Umut Kurt was born in Erzincan, Türkiye. He is a well-known actor and author in his country since he began his career in 1998. He has over 30 projects in his curriculum and has starred in the films Organize İşler (2005), Beynelmilel (2006) and Kavşak (2010), as well as in dizis such as Payitaht: Abdülhamid (2017) and Çıplak (2020).
He currently stands out in the role of Erdem, in Zeytin Ağacı (Another Self, 2022), a Netflix drama series. The plot tells the story of three friends who, together, face Sevgi’s serious illness. They seek healing and peace through family constellation and energies, also involving their family and friends, in a moving story of overcoming.
In the plot, Umut Kurt’s character is married to Leyla (Seda Bakan). The couple is somewhat comical and disturbed: Erdem ends the first season in prison and leaves his wife, already pregnant with a child, and her friend’s illness to deal with. Despite this, the second season shows Erdem reconnecting with himself, in a funny and emotional reconciliation. The cast also includes actors Tuba Büyüküstün, Boncuk Yılmaz, Murat Boz, Fırat Tanış and Rıza Kocaoğlu.
In an interview for Entretetizei, Umut Kurt comments on his character: “Playing Erdem is very fun with a sad side. On the one hand, he does great injustices and victimizes those around him, but on the other hand, he suffers great injustices and becomes a victim. He didn’t actually create the person he became, he turned into this man to protect himself from that life.”
Also, Umut talks about what it is like to be an actor in Türkiye. For him, it is easier than being an actor in many countries, at least to start acting. “Being on Netflix sets is one of the best points you can reach in this business”, tells him.
Check out our interview with Umut Kurt, where he talks about Another Self, a possible third season in Brazil and leaves a special message for Brazil:
Entretetizei: Hello Umut. I hope you are doing well. Your career is full of experiences. Before asking about projects, tell us why you chose acting and what inspires you the most.
Umut Kurt: I started theater courses at a very young age and after I got on stage I always wanted to do this job, it was a difficult journey. It is a path where you have to work hard, be good, talented and lucky. Today I am very happy that I chose this path. I am glad that I do this job, I think it is the best job in the world.
E: You have acted in many TV series and movies, which projects have affected you the most?
UK: All the works I play excite me very much and of course they all have their place. I put Zeytin Ağacı (Another Self) in a very special place because it helped us reach such a large audience. Again, taking part in films like Beynelmilel, İstemım Var, Kavşak, Hayat, being shown at festivals and receiving awards is a great source of pride. They are all successful works that I have collected beautiful memories of, they are all very important to me.
E: What are the biggest challenges of being an actor in Türkiye? What makes you happiest in this profession?
UK: Being an actor in Türkiye is easier than being an actor in many countries, at least to start acting. Being on Netflix sets is one of the best points you can reach in this business. I am lucky and work in a happy environment for myself, and I try to make the work of my colleagues easier as much as possible.
E: You are part of the cast of the successful Netflix series Zeytin Ağacı. What is it like to play Erdem and what are the days like on set? (The cast seems very friendly).
UK: Playing Erdem is very fun with a sad side. On the one hand, he does great injustices and victimizes those around him, but on the other hand, he suffers great injustices and becomes a victim. He didn’t actually create the person he became, he turned into this man to protect himself from that life. That’s why I watch him slip and fall and get back up again with a little sadness and a little laughter, while trying to get out of the hole he fell into with good intentions, without getting angry at him.
E: Erdem is a man who made many mistakes but corrected them and became a better father and husband. What did you learn the most from this character?
UK: When you get to know Erdem, you can already see that he is a good man. Time did this after his days away from his family and in prison. With the effect of family constellation, leaving behind the bad life that followed him in his past and the bad decisions he made and knowing how to start from scratch transformed him from a man who was avoided into an admirable husband and father.
E: We would like to see more of Erdem and Leyla’s story in the series, which deals with many themes such as spirituality, friendship, and the types of love. If it is approved, what can we expect from the next season?
UK: I don’t know what the next season will bring. But I think it wouldn’t be wrong to say that a funny, entertaining and passionate love awaits us.
E: Zeytin Ağacı is very famous in Brazil and Latin America. How does it feel to have a character that reaches so many countries?
UK: I think the fact that we grew up watching Brazilian TV series has a big impact on this. I think we speak the same language, we are a bit like the Latinos of this geography.
E: Do you know anything about Brazil? Would you like to visit us someday?
UK: You seem to be a very beautiful country, with warm-hearted big families, good music, good sports, good TV series, and definitely knows how to have fun. I want to see you as soon as possible, walk around the streets and eat delicious food.
E: Recommend us a movie or series you really like.
UK: I’m watching The Bear (2022) these days, but I’m also watching The Crown (2016), Succession (2018), The Office (2005) and Modern Family (2009).
E: You are an actor and also an author. What can we expect from you in the coming months?
UK: The programs we have recently made will continue to be screened on different platforms.
E: Finally, what would you like to say to Brazilian viewers? Leave us a message.
UK: We love you, thank you very much for watching us. We will get together to watch the third season as soon as possible. Who knows, maybe we will watch the third season in Brazil.
What do you think about the interview with Umut Kurt? Did you watch his new dizi? Follow the Entretetizei website on social media — Insta, Twitter, Face — to stay updated on what’s happening in the entertainment world.
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