Article summary
Çirkin is a new Turkish drama series on Star TV following Meryem Tunalı, an orphan nicknamed “ugly,” as she reunites with her childhood love, uncovering buried secrets and family conflicts. The series stars Çağlar Ertuğrul and Derya Pınar Ak, with episodes available on YouTube with English subtitles.
Çirkin: Star TV’s New Turkish Drama Series
Çirkin premiered on Star TV on March 29, 2026, bringing viewers a compelling story of love, loss, and transformation. The series airs every Sunday at 8:00 PM Turkey time, with episodes running approximately 140 minutes.
The Turkish word Çirkin translates to “ugly” in English, a title that reflects the central character’s journey and the cruel nickname that shapes her story.
Plot Summary: A Story of Resilience and Reunion
Çirkin centers on Meryem Tunalı, portrayed by Derya Pınar Ak, an orphan who faced life’s harshest realities from an early age. Growing up in the Hisarlı neighborhood, Meryem carries a heart full of kindness and harbors deep feelings for her childhood friend Kadir, played by Çağlar Ertuğrul.
Despite being cruelly nicknamed “Çirkin” by those around her, Meryem demonstrates remarkable resilience. Her life takes a dramatic turn following a mysterious disappearance that shakes the entire nation.
Years later, fate brings Meryem and Kadir together again. However, the boy she once knew has transformed into a man shaped by power, wealth, and unbridled ambition. Their reunion sparks more than nostalgia—it ignites a cascade of buried secrets, intense family conflicts, and life-altering decisions that will change both their lives forever.
Cast and Creative Team
The series features an ensemble cast led by:
- Çağlar Ertuğrul as Kadir
- Derya Pınar Ak as Meryem Tunalı
- Nur Sürer as Cennet
- Çetin Tekindor as Ökkeş Karataş
- Başak Gümülcinelioğlu as Lale
The production brings together talented directors Burcu Alptekin and Merve Çolak, known for their work on acclaimed Turkish dramas. Screenwriters Nil Güleç Ünsal and Özlem İnci Hekimoğlu crafted the narrative, while production company 25 Film, led by producers Fırat Parlak and Koray Şahin, brings the vision to life.
Where to Watch Çirkin with English Subtitles
International viewers can watch Çirkin on the series’ official YouTube channel. Episodes are typically uploaded after their television broadcast. To access English subtitles, viewers should:
- Open the video on YouTube
- Click the Settings icon (gear symbol) on the video player
- Select “Subtitles/CC”
- Choose “Auto-translate”
- Select “English” from the language list
This feature allows non-Turkish speakers to follow the story through automatically generated English subtitles.
Episode Count and Season Details
The total number of episodes for Season 1 has not been officially announced. Star TV typically determines episode counts based on viewer reception and ratings. Turkish drama series often run between 8 to 40 episodes per season, depending on audience engagement.
Why Çirkin Stands Out
What makes Çirkin particularly compelling is its exploration of how childhood trauma, societal judgment, and lost connections shape adult lives. The series examines themes of class division, the corrupting influence of power, and whether love can survive radical personal transformation.
The pairing of Çağlar Ertuğrul and Derya Pınar Ak brings together two actors known for their emotional depth and screen presence. The 140-minute episode format allows for rich character development and intricate plotting that Turkish audiences have come to expect from premium dramas.
Read More: Bize Bi’şey Olmaz: Everything to Know About the New Turkish Series on Disney+
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