Two Macedonian actresses found fame in 'Suleiman the Magnificent'

The Turkish historical television project Suleiman the Magnificent became a regional phenomenon, and among its recurring faces were two actresses born in Skopje: Filiz Ahmet and the late Sabina Ajrula-Tozija. Their supporting roles reached audiences across the Balkans and beyond and helped introduce Macedonian performers to a much wider public.

Filiz Ahmet, born in Skopje in 1981 into an artistic family, built a career that moved from local stages to international television. Her grandfather was the actor Lufti Sejfullah and her mother, Feyhan, worked as a prompter in theatre. After finishing the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Skopje in 2003 she concentrated on theatre, but the part of Nigar Kalfa in the series changed her trajectory and brought her regional recognition.

Reflecting on the shoot she said, "The role of Nigar Kalfa enriched me with new experiences. We filmed every day for 15 hours, six days a week. The atmosphere on set was great and we all helped each other." She later settled in Istanbul and today lives in the Beşiktaş district, while still speaking fondly of home: "What I missed most of all was my family in Skopje. Whenever I can come home, I enjoy the quiet and tranquility of my city."

Sabina Ajrula-Tozija: a long career remembered

Sabina Ajrula-Tozija, born in Skopje in 1946, brought decades of stage and screen experience to her role as Afife Hatun, the sultan's wet nurse and chief steward of the harem. From 1967 she was a member of the Drama Theatre in Skopje and accumulated more than 70 stage roles during a long domestic career.

On film she debuted in Vreme bez vojna and appeared in a string of notable regional productions including Ispravi se, Delfina; Crveniot konj; Tetoviranje; Jazol; and Senki. She shared the screen and stage with leading figures from the former Yugoslav cultural scene such as Pavle Vuisić, Bata Živojinović, Neda Arnerić and Ljuba Tadić, and received the highest national honours including the lifetime achievement award "Vojdan Chernodrinski". Sabina Ajrula-Tozija died on August 10, 2021 in her native Skopje, leaving a substantial legacy in Macedonian theatre and cinema.

Both actresses helped make elements of the series resonate locally: Filiz as a young performer who crossed borders to build a TV career, and Sabina as an established doyenne whose presence connected the production to a long regional acting tradition. Their participation in Suleiman the Magnificent remains a notable chapter in how Macedonian actors reached international audiences.

Photo: press material from the event