Calinos Entertainment has officially secured a licensing agreement with Dubai-based DMI for its latest hit Turkish drama, Ugly.
This new partnership marks the next major milestone in the show’s international rollout, with the series set to premiere very soon for audiences across the Middle East and North Africa on Dubai TV and Dubai Plus.
Centered around a powerful narrative of love, fate, and profound personal transformation, Ugly quickly established itself as one of the standout dramas of the television season.
Although the series premiered later in the broadcast calendar and concluded its initial season with a compact run of eight episodes, it made a lasting impression on viewers. Driven by a stellar cast, deeply emotional storytelling, and a uniquely striking visual style, the acclaimed drama is now poised to captivate a massive new audience throughout the Gulf and the wider MENA region.
Originally broadcast on Star TV in Türkiye, Ugly delivered solid ratings throughout its run. The series launched with a 4.70 rating in Total and climbed to 7.30 by its fourth episode, while its final episode ranked No. 1 across all categories, scoring 6.28 in Total. The drama also performed particularly well among female audiences, averaging 7.88 among Female 20+, 6.75 among Working Women and 8.55 among Housewives.
“We are more than confident that Ugly will become a major success in the MENA region,” said Aslı Serim, Head of Content at Calinos Entertainment. “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.”
Starring Çağlar Ertuğrul and Derya Pınar Ak in the lead roles, Ugly is produced by 25 Film and directed by Burcu Alptekin, known for her work on Golden Boy, together with Merve Çolak.
The series follows Meryem Tunalı, who loses her family at a young age and grows up under the care of her mother’s friend, Cennet, alongside Cennet’s son, Kadir, and his two sisters. Labeled “ugly” as a child because of her short hair and worn-out clothes, Meryem grows into a beautiful young woman, yet one thing remains unchanged: her deep love for Kadir.
Years later, Kadir unexpectedly asks Meryem to marry him. But the man standing before her is no longer the person she once knew, and what begins as a sudden proposal soon turns into an emotional journey shaped by love, ambition, power and secrets long buried.
The first season finale marked a turning point for Meryem. Once seen as fragile and innocent, she begins to discover her inner strength, with the finale hinting at her future rise as a famous singer and setting the stage for a powerful new chapter in the upcoming season.
With its Dubai TV launch, Ugly is set to introduce its emotionally rich story to a wider audience in the MENA region.
‘Ugly’: The New Global Phenomenon – Exclusive Interviews
