Adnan G. Köse is an author, director, and playwright with a passion for stories that go beneath the surface — whether in the form of drama, thrillers, historical narratives, or mystery. His creative journey began early: as a child, he devoured works by Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, Ernest Hemingway, and William Shakespeare — a diverse range of influences that continue to shape his work today. At just eight years old, his first short stories were published in newspapers, laying the foundation for his creative path.
Raised as the son of a German-Turkish coal miner family in the heart of the Ruhr region, Köse was shaped by the working-class culture and the diversity of his community — influences that subtly surface in some of his works without defining them. He skillfully captures a wide range of human experiences while staying true to his primary goal: to create stories that captivate, move, and entertain.
Initially, Köse pursued a degree in literature, but his passion for the stage led him to the renowned acting school Theater der Keller, where he completed his training as a certified actor. His fascination with characters and dramaturgy naturally expanded into directing, screenwriting, and playwriting.
His breakthrough as a filmmaker came with the mystery-horror short film “Zur Hölle mit dir” (“To Hell With You”), which was screened at international festivals, won multiple awards, and made it onto the Oscar® shortlist in Los Angeles. This success opened the door to his feature film debut: the biopic drama “Lauf um dein Leben – Vom Junkie zum Ironman” (“Run for Your Life – From Junkie to Ironman”), starring Uwe Ochsenknecht and Max Riemelt(Studiocanal). Released in over 150 theaters across Germany in 2007, the film also toured international festivals through BETA Cinema in collaboration with German Films, earning further accolades.
Many of Köse's films, plays, and radio dramas have been funded by renowned institutions, including the FFA – German Federal Film Board, the Film and Media Foundation NRW, and other regional and national cultural funds.
Parallel to his film work, Köse has been active in television since 1999. His screenwriting debut came with the road movie “Mein großer Freund” (“My Big Friend”) for ARD/ARTE, starring legendary actors Günter Lamprecht and Hannelore Elsner. The film was a critical and audience success, winning the German Television Award 1999 for Best Cinematography. He went on to write for several TV projects, including the prime-time series and BBC adaptation“Bis in die Spitzen” (“Root of All Evil”) for SAT.1.
Köse seamlessly navigates different genres — from gripping thrillers to historical dramas and psychological horror — infusing his work with emotional depth that resonates with readers and audiences. His stories often explore hope, loss, human darkness, love, and the triumph of good over evil.
As a novelist, Köse has found a new creative home. His debut novel, “Ein Freund von früher” (“A Friend From the Past”), co-written with Wolfgang Lohmeier during the COVID-19 pandemic, was celebrated by both critics and readers. The novel’s success led to high-profile readings, including at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein, and it received numerous 5-star reviews on Amazon. This debut marked the beginning of a new chapter in his literary career. More novels are in development, including his upcoming thriller “Cold Case”, currently in its final editing phase.
His path to the literary stage began in 2010 with the publication of his play “Unter Tage” (“Underground”) by the renowned Rowohlt Verlag. As author, producer, and director, Köse premiered the play during RUHR.2010, the European Capital of Culture event, at the former Osterfeld-Lohberg coal mine — a heartfelt homage to his roots.
With the historical drama “Roter März” (“Red March”), Köse continued to explore socially critical themes. Originally written as a theater play, it was adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic as a “ghost performance” — streamed without an audience in cooperation with Deutsche Telekom in 2021. The production won the “Virtual Capital of Culture Germany” award. The live theater premiere followed in October 2021 in North Rhine-Westphalia.
In 2024, Köse adapted “Roter März” into a radio drama script, which was supported by the Film and Media Foundation NRW, further expanding the work into a new medium.
A major milestone in Köse’s theatrical career came in September 2024 with his ambitious production of Samuel Beckett’s timeless masterpiece “Waiting for Godot”. Taking on the roles of producer, director, and the lead character Vladimir, this production was not only a massive audience success but also a deeply personal achievement. Köse had been fascinated by Beckett’s work since childhood — long before he fully understood its depth — and it had always been his dream to bring his own version of this existentialist classic to the stage. The result was a powerful, fresh interpretation that combined respect for the original with Köse’s unique directorial vision.
Köse draws on a broad cultural background without limiting himself to specific themes. His work ranges from engaging popular fiction to thought-provoking social dramas — occasionally enriched by deeper literary layers where they serve the story.
After decades of success in film, theater, and television, Köse has returned to his literary roots — without leaving his other creative fields behind. With upcoming novels and non-fiction books, he remains committed to his lifelong passion for storytelling, always driven by the desire to craft narratives that emotionally captivate, provoke deep reflection on life and the world, challenge perspectives, and — at times — provoke.
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