Yasemin Kay Allen (born 10 July 1989) is a British-Turkish actress.
Early years Allen was born in London, one of two children of English father Dudley Allen and the English actress and singer Sonja Eady who, with her first marriage to Turkish actor Kayhan Yıldızoğlu, had gained Turkish citizenship. When she was three months old, her family moved to Turkey. She went to Australia with her mother after she completed elementary school, where she took cinema, television, drama and Japanese courses and earned a scholarship from the University of Queensland. She returned to Turkey when she was 18, and, in 2008, graduated from Müjdat Gezen Konservatuarı with degree in Theater Arts.
Career
Television In 2008, Allen was cast in the leading role in the Turkish television series Elif. In 2010 she starred as Elena in the series Kavak Yelleri (the Turkish version of Dawson's Creek), and Juliette in the series Yerden Yüksek. In 2011 she played Pelin Akça in Hayat Devam Ediyor. In 2013 she played Irmak Tunalı in the series Merhamet, then starred as Defne Sultan in the epic drama series Muhteşem Yüzyıl. In the same year she played the character Sibel in the gang drama series Şeref Meselesi. That was followed by the series 46 Yok Olan, Fi, İyi Günde Kötü Günde, Menajerimi Ara, The Usual Suspects, Erkek Severse, Dokuz Oğuz, The Last Day, The Turkish Detective, Bahar, To Love, To Lose and, as of 2026, continues with her long-time role in Back Streets.
Film In 2013, Yasemin Allen starred alongside Turkish singer Özcan Deniz in her film debut Su ve Ateş, playing the leading role Yağmur Efe. That was followed by the 2016 romantic comedy Dönerse Senindir and the 2018 film Dorothy's Theory.
Commercials In 2008, Allen was a finalist in the L'Oréal' Face Competition and, in 2014, hosted the Elite Miss Turkey Beauty Contest. She appeared in commercials for Sprite, TTNET, and the shopping site N11.com.
Personal life In 2014, at the Turkey Elle Style Awards, Allen was nominated as Most Stylish Actress.
In 2026, Allen married former FBI agent Erdal Kaya.
Filmography + Film YearTitle RoleNotes 2013 Su ve Ateş Yağmur Efe Leading Role 2016 Dönerse Senindir Selin Leading role 2017 Dorothy's Theory Dorothy's mother Short film
+ TelevisionYearTitleRoleNotes 2008 Elif Elif Doğan Leading role 2010 Kavak Yelleri Elena Banderenko/Karakuş Supporting role 2010–2011 Yerden Yüksek Juliette/Jüjü Supporting role 2011–2012 Hayat Devam Ediyor Pelin Akça Leading role 2013–2014 Merhamet Irmak Tunalı Supporting role 2014 Muhteşem Yüzyıl Defne Sultan Supporting role 2014–2015 Şeref Meselesi Sibel Leading role 2014 Ulan İstanbul Guest role 2016 46: Yok Olan Selin AcarLeading role 2019–2020 Strike Back Katrina Zarkova Supporting role2020 İyi Günde Kötü GündeMelisa YalçınkayaLeading role 2021Menajerimi AraHerselfGuest appearance2023Dokuz OğuzTomris AlbayLeading role2024BaharDora ErsoySupporting role2025Arka SokaklarGökçe KurtLeading role
+ Streaming series YearTitle RoleNotes 2017–2018FiEce SaydaGuest Appearance2021 Olağan ŞüphelilerZuhal EmirciLeading role2022Erkek SeverseYelda DönmezLeading role2023Son GünGizemLeading role2023The Turkish DetectiveAyşe FarsakoğluLeading role2026Ayrılık da Sevdaya DahilNeslihanLeading role
+ Music videosYearArtistSongNotes 2012 Ilgaz Erel "Rüyamda" 2012 Ogün Şanlısoy "Büyüdük Aniden"
Awards YearAwardCategoryWorkResult2014 Internet Media of the Year Awards Best TV Star of the Year Merhamet
References
External links