Serenay Sarıkaya, born on July 1, 1992, in Ankara, Turkey, is a celebrated actress, model, and beauty pageant titleholder. She gained international recognition for her roles in popular TV series such as Adanalı, Lale Devri, Medcezir, and Aile, and further solidified her fame with performances in the series Fi and Şahmaran.

Sarıkaya was born to Seyhan Umran and Mustafa Sarıkaya. She spent her early years in Antalya until her parents separated when she was seven. Following her father’s remarriage, she moved to Istanbul with her mother. Reflecting on her upbringing, Sarıkaya has spoken about the challenges of growing up without her father, saying, "For a little girl, a father is a special factor in her evolution. Growing up without your father is a big experience."

Sarıkaya's interest in acting and modeling was evident from a young age, which influenced her decision to settle in Istanbul. She graduated from the Theatre Department of Ataşehir Adıgüzel Fine Arts High School in Istanbul. Although she did not pursue university education, her dedication to her craft was clear from the start.

Sarıkaya made her acting debut at just fourteen with a minor role in the 2006 film Şaşkın. Two years later, she appeared in the movie Plajda and starred in a Turkcell commercial. Her first leading role came in the fantasy children’s series Peri Masalı (2008), where she portrayed a fairy godmother.

Her breakthrough came later that year with the crime comedy series Adanalı (2008–2010), where she played the role of Sofia, a Greek-Turkish girl. Her performance, especially her mixed Greek-Adana accent, received critical acclaim.

At the age of fifteen, Sarıkaya participated in the European Youth Beauty Competition in Czechia, where she won a special award from the jury. In 2010, she competed in the Miss Turkey beauty contest, representing Ankara, and finished as the first runner-up. Although she earned the right to represent Turkey in the Miss Universe contest, she chose to continue her acting career instead.

After leaving Adanalı, Sarıkaya joined the cast of Lale Devri, a series produced by Şükrü Avşar. Her role in the series, particularly a song she performed in one episode, garnered significant attention. Despite receiving offers to pursue a music career, Sarıkaya remained focused on acting, stating, "The offers are correct. Fees aren't bad. But I'm not going to sing. My job is acting."

In 2011, she starred in the short film Hoşçakal and continued her role in Lale Devri until the beginning of its third season in 2012.

Major Projects and Continued Success (2013–present)
In 2013, Sarıkaya starred in the film Behzat Ç. Ankara Yanıyor, adapted from the popular TV series Behzat Ç. Bir Ankara Polisiyesi. The same year, she gained widespread fame with her role as Mira Beylice in the series Medcezir, an adaptation of the American show The O.C.. Her portrayal of Mira, a character based on Marissa Cooper, was widely praised.

Sarıkaya also became a prominent face in advertising, appearing in commercials for brands like Elidor and Mavi Jeans. She starred alongside Brazilian model Francisco Lachowski in Mavi’s spring–summer collection and filmed another campaign in 2016 with Barbara Palvin. Her collaboration with actor Kerem Bürsin for Mavi’s 2015 spring–summer collection was particularly well-received.

From 2017 to 2018, Sarıkaya starred in the online series Fi, based on novels by Azra Kohen. The show was one of the first major Turkish productions to be streamed online and became a significant success.

Stage and Recent Projects
In 2019, Sarıkaya made her stage debut in the musical Alice Müzikali, an adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The production was well-received, with Sarıkaya continuing her role when the show returned for a second season in September 2019. After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alice returned to the stage in February 2022.

Although Sarıkaya was cast to play the lead role in the biographical film Bergen, detailing the life of singer Belgin Sarılmışer, she left the project due to difficulties caused by the pandemic and other factors. In 2021, she became the first-ever Turkish brand ambassador for Bulgari, marking another milestone in her career.

Beyond her acting career, Sarıkaya is passionate about sports, including volleyball, basketball, tennis, and Latin dance. Her dynamic interests and talents continue to inspire her fans and followers.

Serenay Sarıkaya’s journey from a young girl with dreams of acting to a celebrated actress and model is a testament to her talent and determination. With numerous accolades, including two Golden Butterfly Awards, and a growing list of achievements, she remains a prominent figure in Turkish entertainment.