I had the pleasure of speaking with Cemre Paksoy, an accomplished actor known for her captivating performances in both suspenseful and dramatic roles. In this interview, we delve into her recent work on the series As The Crow Flies and the emotionally charged drama The Affair. Cemre shares insights into how she approached the darker themes in her performances, the techniques she uses to build suspense, and how she balances the complexity of her characters in intense narratives. She also reveals her favorite horror influences and the memorable scenes that have left a lasting impact on her career. Continue reading to explore the depth of her craft and the passion she brings to every role.

As The Crow Flies isn’t strictly a horror series, but it has suspenseful elements. How did you approach these darker themes in your performance?

One of my favorite things about As The Crow Flies is that it takes all the characters to their absolute limits. The show delves fairly deep into the darker sides of ambition, exploring what the desire to be recognized can draw out of a person. In a way it’s uncomfortable because it can be so relatable. There’s something fun about going to these extremes, which you don’t always get to do as an actor. 

 

What was the most thrilling scene you filmed in As The Crow Flies, and how did you prepare for it?

There’s a scene in the finale where Müge, my character’s boss, has a mental breakdown and walks out of the office in her bathrobe, hair falling, fully spiraling. My character is the only one who can bring her back to save the network. There’s psychological horror to how she crumbles under the pressure after fighting for three seasons to get where she is. I had to read beyond the words on the page and really take in how far this person has fallen, all while not losing sight of the stakes of the scene. 

 

How did you delve into the psychological aspects of your character in As The Crow Flies?

My character, Nihal, is forced to balance a lot throughout the series. She has to keep her composure while surrounded by conflict and be calm when everyone else gets to act out. I tried to internalize the role of the mediator without being indifferent or oblivious to the war happening around me. 

 

Do you have any favorite horror films or shows that influenced your approach to these roles?

My favorite horror movie is probably Andrzej Żuławski’s Possession. I’m inspired by how the acting shines in such a stylized and intense movie. David Cronenberg’s Dead Ringers is another — the fact that Jeremy Irons is able to portray not one but two incredibly distinct characters while building so much suspense is jaw dropping. Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin is one I came back to a lot for my more recent roles. I love how the horror comes from silences to create a brooding intensity. 

 

What techniques do you use to build suspense in your scenes?

Suspense requires intense focus. You can’t afford to be distracted, because in a thriller, usually the situation is — or can feel like — life or death. The best approach to these scenes is to see nothing and no one but your screen partner.

 

How do you balance the complexity of your character in a suspenseful narrative?

It can be easy to lose your character when grandiose emotions are involved. The scene can become about the extreme emotions you’re trying to convey instead of the character’s circumstances. I try to start every scene focusing on where the character is emotionally in the moment, and not what note I’m trying to hit as an actor. This allows me to maintain the integrity of my character when more suspenseful moments eventually unfold. 

 

The Affair deals with intense personal drama. How did you navigate the darker aspects of your character’s storyline?

My character, Gökçe, has to witness the complete decay of a family she cares for deeply. Being a bystander to a loved one’s trauma is an incredibly helpless feeling. As unpleasant as that situation is, I found her journey relatable, and I had a lot to draw from in my personal life. 

 

How do you manage the emotional intensity required for such roles without it affecting you personally?

Centering myself at the end of a day filled with tense and emotional scenes can definitely be hard, but I’m lucky to have been on sets with really supportive directors and crew members who consider the toll these scenes take on a person. 

 

What’s the most memorable dark or suspenseful scene you’ve filmed in As The Crow Flies or The Affair?

There’s a huge scene towards the end of The Affair where my character’s best friend and her husband have a confrontation at my apartment about her affair, the child they lost, and the damage that did to their marriage. Everything bubbling under the surface is finally said, and emotions on set were running higher than ever that day. It was brutal to watch, but also a gift to experience as an actor.