For our NEM Dubrovnik 2026 issue, we spoke with Derya Pınar Ak who plays Meryem on the new Turkish drama Ugly.
In the series The Prince, which has reached a wide fan base globally, you won hearts as Hasharia, a warrior and fierce character admired by everyone. Now, you appear before us in Ugly as Meryem, a more mysterious, perhaps more fragile, yet equally central character to the story. What kind of an acting journey was it to step out of Hasharia’s energetic world and enter Meryem’s world full of secrets?
Hasharia was a much more extroverted character who showed her energy directly. Meryem, on the other hand, is someone who lives more internally. That’s why, while entering her world, I tried hard to understand her silences, her glances, and the things she keeps inside. As an actress, it was a very different but nourishing journey for me in every aspect and from every angle.
Your character Meryem, also known by the show’s title “Ugly”, is a character struggling against society’s physical molds. While you are praised on social media for your pure beauty, how did it feel to undergo such a visual transformation for a character and be referred to as “ugly”? While discovering the “beauty” beneath Meryem’s harsh shell, which of her emotions affected you the most?
While playing Meryem, I actually thought about how externally defined the concept of beauty is. Because in her story, the issue is not actually about physical appearance; it is about making herself feel worthy of being loved. What affected me the most was her loneliness and her constant state of hiding herself.
In The Prince, you played a highly beloved, confident, and warrior princess. Meryem, however, is someone who started life at a major disadvantage, having lost her family and being marginalized. How did transitioning from Hasharia’s extroverted energy to Meryem’s world, trapped inside but ready to explode, change your acting techniques?
Since emotions are more suppressed in Meryem, I tried to remain more minimalist while acting. I tried not to exaggerate at all. For me, she became a character where a tiny glance or a silence conveys a great deal. We already have a lot of scenes like this anyway.
You mentioned about Meryem that “she tries to look strong from the outside, but she goes through a lot inside.” As an actress, how did you blend that sense of loss and loneliness from Meryem’s past with her current struggle to survive? What was the moment in Meryem’s story that shook you the most or made you say, “I wish I could have held her hand”?
Meryem’s struggle to survive deeply affected me. Because sometimes, no matter how strong she tries to appear, there is still a broken child inside her left over from childhood. I think we feel that intensely. Frankly, there were many moments where I said, “I wish I could have held her hand.” There were many moments where I wished I could have hugged her, honestly.
The series will also meet audiences abroad. In your opinion, what will a young woman anywhere in the world find from her own story in Meryem’s struggle to be accepted and hold onto life? Does Meryem have a message for all the “marginalized” women in the world?
I think people all over the world can understand Meryem’s desire to be accepted. Because at some point, we all have moments where we feel incomplete or excluded. Honestly, I have them a lot. That’s why I think Meryem’s message might be a bit like this: A person must first know how to show compassion to themselves, or it could be learning to do so.
Your paths crossing with Çağlar Ertuğrul (Kadir) forms the main artery of the story. Mr. Çağlar is a highly loved figure, both for his experience and his energy on set. From your perspective, what kind of a partner is Çağlar Ertuğrul? Do his famous “humor and sincerity” make your job easier during your scenes together, or do you have moments where you struggle not to laugh while playing intense, ambitious characters?
Working with Çağlar is truly very enjoyable and relaxed. Very comfortable. Because we had actually worked together before anyway. We were very used to each other. On set, he is both professional, highly professional, and someone who lifts the energy, keeping it high. Sometimes during our scenes together, there are moments where I have a very hard time keeping myself from laughing while acting with him. But catching that mutual chemistry made our job much easier, of course, above everything else.
Ugly is one of the successful series of this season. In your opinion, with which emotion did it captivate the audience the most, and why was it loved?
I think the reason Ugly is loved could be because it carries real emotions and is sincere. Because honestly, I feel that everyone finds something of themselves in Meryem. Actually, I try to act in scenes with this in mind. To be honest, regarding Meryem’s side, I think people found the characters’ flaws, heartbreaks, and struggles sincere. While playing this and working on my scenes, I always try to create my performances keeping this in mind.
Ugly’s global journey is also beginning; how does it make you feel that the series will meet audiences in different countries?
It is very exciting that the series will be watched in different countries. It is a matter of great pride. I think it is a very special feeling for a story to find resonance in other cultures, in other countries, with other people. And in every sense, I guess this might be a first for me, the character of Ugly Meryem. I hope I can make people in different parts of the world feel Meryem’s emotion. I hope it resonates with other people too. Thank you.
