Table Of Contents
Introduction
Neither of them has said the word “yes.” That is really the whole story here.
Everything else: the vacation photos, the hand-holding, the interview where Devrim Özkan smiled her way out of answering points somewhere pretty specific, even if nobody has put it in writing yet.
I have been tracking Turkish television’s crossover into English-language entertainment coverage for a while now, and this is one of those stories where the English-language write-ups stopped a full news cycle too early.
Most outlets covering Deniz Can Aktaş and Devrim Özkan reported on the Los Angeles nightclub sighting in mid-June and moved on.
What they missed, or published before it happened, is what came next: the Brooklyn hand-holding photos and Özkan’s own press conference, unanswered.
Both tell more than anything that came before them, and we cover them here in full, with sourcing.
Suppose you landed on this page from a #DenDev clip on TikTok, welcome. That tag has millions of views now.
Here is what’s verifiable, in order, with enough background that you don’t need to follow Turkish TV to keep up.
Quick Facts About Deniz Can Aktaş and Devrim Özkan
| About | Facts |
|---|---|
| Actors | Deniz Can Aktaş & Devrim Özkan |
| Show | Yeraltı (international title: Underground), NOW TV |
| The characters they play | Haydar Ali (Aktaş) and Halide Ceylan (Özkan) |
| Fan nickname | DenDev |
| Relationship status | Rumored, unconfirmed |
| Official statement from either actor | None so far |
| Devrim Özkan’s past relationship | Footballer Lucas Torreira |
| Deniz Can Aktaş’s rumored past relationship | Physiotherapist Gizem Yaren Yıldırım (fans reportedly noticed he no longer follows her) |
| Deniz Can Aktaş’s age/birthdate | 32 — born July 28, 1993, in Istanbul |
| Devrim Özkan’s age/birthdate | 27 — born September 2, 1998, in Bodrum, Muğla |
| Age gap | 5 years |
Who are Deniz Can Aktaş and Devrim Özkan?
Yeraltı is one of the bigger ratings stories on Turkish TV this year, and Aktaş and Özkan are a big part of why.
Their characters, Haydar Ali and Halide Ceylan, had the kind of on-screen chemistry that gets clipped and reposted within hours of an episode airing, well before anyone was asking whether it was real off-screen, too.
Özkan is not new to public scrutiny of her love life. Her relationship with footballer Lucas Torreira has been reported on for a while, and it resurfaced the moment people started connecting her to Aktaş.
Aktaş, by contrast, has mostly stayed out of tabloid territory, which is probably part of why this story caught on the way it did.
When the quiet one suddenly shows up in gossip headlines, people notice.
Deniz Can Aktaş and Devrim Özkan Timeline
| Stage | What happened | How solid is it |
|---|---|---|
| Early episodes | On-screen chemistry between Haydar Ali and Ceylan goes viral; fans start asking if it’s just acting | Vibes, not evidence |
| The sweatshirt clue | Fans notice Özkan wearing a sweatshirt previously seen on Aktaş | Circumstantial, but the detail that kicked things off |
| “Photo crisis” reports | TGRT Haber reported a “photo crisis” had occurred between the two, alleging a disagreement during a promotional photo shoot for the show over photo selection and posting order | Actually points away from romance, briefly |
| LA nightclub sighting (mid-June) | Sözcü reported that the pair were seen together at a Los Angeles nightclub, with claims circulating on social media that they danced closely and spent the evening together; photos published by the Gossippasta account showed them leaving the venue together. | Unverified source, but widely picked up — this is where most English coverage stops |
| Brooklyn hand-holding photos | Mynet reported the pair were photographed walking together in the streets of Brooklyn and later leaving a market hand in hand with flowers, images that circulated widely with commenters saying “the show romance became real” | The strongest visual evidence to date |
| Özkan’s press non-answer | Sözcü reported that after returning to Turkey, Özkan left questions about the relationship unanswered; when reporters asked, “Congratulations on your relationship with Deniz Can Aktaş. When did it start?” she smiled and neither confirmed nor denied it, instead redirecting to her new film. | Reads as closer to “yes” than “no,” though still not confirmation |
| Aktaş’s social media | Reportedly unfollows previously linked girlfriend Gizem Yaren Yıldırım | Suggests his prior relationship may be over — unverified |
| Birthday party sighting | Mynet reported the two were seen together again at a friend’s (Tarık Tırıl’s) birthday celebration, appearing close in photos shared from the night; Sözcü separately reported on images from the same event. | Two independent mainstream outlets (Mynet, Sözcü) have stronger sourcing than the earlier gossip-account claim, though there is still no statement from either actor |
So, Are Deniz Can Aktaş and Devrim Özkan Dating?
Neither actor has confirmed a relationship, and neither has publicly denied one. As of september, neither has made an on-record statement.
Turkish outlets including Sözcü and Mynet have reported on photos and sightings of the two together, and the timeline above lists each report with its source. Those reports show they were seen in public together. They do not establish the nature of their relationship.
When reporters asked Özkan about it, she did not answer directly, according to Sözcü. We will update this page if either actor comments.
What Does “DenDev” Even Mean?
It is the fan-made nickname for the pairing, the first syllables of each name mashed together, a familiar move for Turkish fandoms tracking a ship. It is now the tag people actually use to follow the story in real time, and it moves faster than any newsroom covering this.
Deniz Can Aktaş And Devrim Özkan Seen Together
Conclusion
Strip away the tabloid framing and what is left is a fairly simple picture: two co-stars with real on-screen chemistry, a string of increasingly hard-to-explain public sightings, and a total absence of denial from either side.
None of that adds up to a confirmed relationship, and this piece is not going to pretend it does, but it is more than enough to explain why #DenDev will not stop trending.
The honest answer, as of today, is that this is still a rumor: a well-photographed, repeatedly not denied, increasingly hard-to-dismiss rumor, but a rumor.
If either Deniz Can Aktaş or Devrim Özkan says something official- confirmation, denial, or anything in between- this page will be the first place to update, not the last. Bookmark it so you can skip the noise next time this resurfaces.
FAQ
Is Deniz Can Aktaş single right now?
Looks that way, based on the unfollow. Not confirmed by him directly, so treat it as a strong hint rather than a fact.
Did Devrim Özkan ever deny the rumors?
No. She had the chance in that moment and chose not to. That is different from confirming it, but worth noting, she did not shut it down either.
How old are Deniz Can Aktaş and Devrim Özkan?
Aktaş is 32, born July 28, 1993, in Istanbul. Özkan is 27, born September 2, 1998, in Bodrum. That is a 5-year gap small enough that it has not really factored into the rumors either way.
Are the Yeraltı leads a real couple?
Same question people ask in Turkish, just phrased around the characters instead of the actors. The answer is the same: rumored, not confirmed.
Is this article going to get updated?
Yes. This is the kind of story that changes overnight — one photo, one comment, and this page gets rewritten. Check the “last updated” date above.
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