Nazan Kesal (Manisa, March 28, 1969) is a Turkish actress, theater and film director. A graduate of the Department of Acting at the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dokuz Eylül University, she began her career in theater before establishing herself in film and television. Her filmography is marked by acclaimed performances in arthouse films such as Nuri Bilge Ceylan's *İklimler* (2006). She has received major awards for her leading roles in *Saç* (2010), which earned her the Best Actress award at the Antalya Film Festival, and in *Daire* (2014), for which she received the same award at the Istanbul International Film Festival. On the small screen, she has achieved great international popularity by participating in successful television series such as *Fazilet Hanım ve Kızları* and *Bir Zamanlar Çukurova*. Considered one of the most versatile actresses of her generation, her career balances complex roles with productions of great popular appeal.