Born in Senegal on February 23, 1988, to a diplomat father, Nilperi Şahinkaya has made a mark on the Turkish acting scene with her undeniable talent and diverse roles. Due to her father's diplomatic role, Şahinkaya has spent her early years in different parts of the world including Paris, where she completed her primary education, and Bern, where she finished her middle school. In 2003, she moved to Ankara, Turkey, and graduated from Charles de Gaulle French High School in 2006.
Nilperi Şahinkaya pursued her passion for acting by studying at the Bilkent University Faculty of Music and Performing Arts from 2006 to 2010. She made her acting debut during her university years in the TV series 'Deniz Yıldızı'. She graduated with high honors from the university, reflecting her dedication to her craft.
Şahinkaya's breakthrough came in June 2010 when she was selected for a role in the TV series 'Öyle Bir Geçer Zaman Ki'. The role of Mesude in this series made her a familiar face to Turkish audiences. Following this, she played diverse roles in several TV series including 'Kayıp', 'Kiraz Mevsimi', and 'N'olur Ayrılalım'.
A testament to her versatility, Şahinkaya also starred in the web series 'Aynen Aynen', sharing the screen with Kerem Bürsin and Uraz Kaygılaroğlu.
In 2021, she appeared in the popular TV series 'Yasak Elma' where she portrayed the character Cansu Yıldırım.
Nilperi Şahinkaya's journey in the world of theatre is a showcase of her talent, versatility, and dedication to the performing arts. Her theatrical odyssey began at Bilkent University's Faculty of Music and Performing Arts, where she honed her acting skills. Şahinkaya made her debut in the play 'Sis' in 2008, marking the beginning of her noteworthy theatrical career. Over the years, she has performed in various plays, such as 'Kel Kantocu' (2009) and 'Orkestra' (2010), expanding her repertoire and showcasing her ability to breathe life into diverse characters.
Her portrayal of Alice in the 2011-2012 play 'Yaklaştıkça' staged at Tiyatro İstanbul further illustrated her range as an actress. However, her role as Honey in 'Kim Korkar Hain Kurttan' (2013-2015), directed by Hira Tekindor and staged at Oyun Atölyesi, stands out as one of her most prominent theatrical performances. Şahinkaya's performance in 'Kalp' in 2018, where she played Emma, earned her critical acclaim and the prestigious Sadri Alışık Theater and Cinema Actor Award for Best Supporting Actress. Through these roles, Şahinkaya has established herself as a potent force in Turkish theatre, a testament to her profound dedication to her craft.
Adding to her impressively diverse acting career, Şahinkaya is multilingual, proficient in English, Turkish, French, German, and Italian. This skill undoubtedly enhances her ability to bring authenticity to her characters, who often reflect her own global perspective.
With her immense talent, diverse acting range, and unique background, Nilperi Şahinkaya has firmly established herself as a powerful presence in the Turkish acting industry. Her career continues to flourish, and audiences eagerly await her future performances.