Kaan Taşaner

Kaan did not always know that he wanted to be an actor.[3] He was undecided about his career as a teenager, but decided he might like to be on stage after seeing Danton's Death with Reha Özcan.[4] He began training at 17 with the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Theater Workshop, then continued at the Selçuk University Dilek Sabancı Conservatory in Konya.[2][5] He is listed as a graduate for the 2002–2003 academic year.[6]

Kaan has been performing in Turkish television dramas since 2004. Two series in which he has played major roles, Fatmagül'ün Suçu Ne? and Diriliş: Ertuğrul, have received significant international attention.[7][8] He commented on the international interest in Turkish productions during a July 2020 interview:

Translation: "We have Hollywood in English; I do not know what the equivalent will be, but I think we have the power to turn it [Turkish TV] into a brand. Yes, our works should be sold, but I strongly believe that we should make art in our native language. This includes television."[9]

Before joining Uyanis: Büyük Selcuklu as Markus, Kaan had not been seen in a series for a year and a half. Although he had offers, he had not found a role he felt comfortable accepting, and articulated some observations on the current male TV roles:

Translation: "Especially this season, I find the positioning of men in the TV series very sexist. That is why I continue to read because I feel a bit responsible in this regard, prefer to avoid such things and be in a more balanced job."[10]

During the same interview, he expressed interest in the opportunity to perform a role for the first time.

Kaan's first song, Bu Bir Oyun (This is a Game), was released on Amazon on 22 November 2020. A music video as well as a video discussing the project were released on 12 December 2020.[11]

Kaan's mother, Sacide Taşaner, is an actress. She developed an interest in acting after Kaan began his training. Kaan was in a four-year relationship with actress Şelin Sekerci, who was his co-star in Rengarenk. He left the series after their separation.[12][13]