Turkish distributor Calinos Entertainment has secured a new international sales agreement for its drama series Ugly, licensing the title to Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) for broadcast in the UAE.
Under the deal, the series will soon be available to audiences on Dubai TV and Dubai Plus, expanding its reach across the Middle East and North Africa as part of its growing international rollout.
Produced by 25 Film, Ugly emerged as one of the notable Turkish dramas of the season despite entering the broadcast schedule later than many competing series. The first season concluded after eight episodes, attracting viewers with its emotional narrative, strong performances and distinctive visual style.
The drama stars Çağlar Ertuğrul and Derya Pınar Ak in the lead roles and is directed by Burcu Alptekin, known for her work on Golden Boy, alongside Merve Çolak. Originally airing on Star TV in Türkiye, the series recorded steady audience growth throughout its run.
According to viewing figures released by Calinos Entertainment, Ugly debuted with a 4.70 rating in the Total audience category before rising to 7.30 by its fourth episode. The season finale finished as the highest-rated programme across all categories, achieving a 6.28 rating in Total viewership. The series also performed particularly strongly among female audiences, recording average ratings of 7.88 among women aged 20 and above, 6.75 among working women and 8.55 among housewives.
Commenting on the deal, Aslı Serim, Head of Content at Calinos Entertainment, said: “We are more than confident that “Ugly” will become a major success in the MENA region. The series has a distinctive narrative that carries the emotional spirit of classic Turkish cinema, while bringing it to the screen with a modern and visually rich production style. We are very pleased with the performance of the series and look forward to seeing its journey continue with audiences in Dubai.”
The series follows the story of Meryem Tunalı, who loses her family at an early age and is raised by her mother’s close friend, Cennet, alongside Cennet’s children. As a child, Meryem is labelled “ugly” because of her appearance and modest circumstances, but she grows into a confident and beautiful young woman while holding onto her lifelong love for Kadir, Cennet’s son.
Years later, her life takes an unexpected turn when Kadir asks her to marry him. However, the man she once loved has changed, and the proposal becomes the starting point for a complex journey involving love, power, ambition and long-hidden secrets.
The first-season finale marked a significant turning point for Meryem’s character. After being portrayed as vulnerable and innocent throughout much of the story, she begins to discover her inner strength. The closing episode hints at her transformation into a celebrated singer, setting the stage for a new chapter and raising expectations for the upcoming season.