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Meral Çetinkaya

Meral Çetinkaya

Actor · Born March 5, 1945 (81) · Bursa, Turkey

Meral Onuktas Çetinkaya is a Turkish actress whose long and distinguished career has embraced theatre, television, and cinema, earning her a respected place in modern Turkish performance. After completing her education, which included a period of ballet training and later Art History studies in the United States on scholarship, she returned to Türkiye and encountered theatre almost by chance while working as a translator for a visiting director. That experience led her to formal stage training at LCC and to further artistic development under Beklan Algan, before she began appearing in productions with Dostlar Tiyatrosu from 1969 onward. Over the years she built a strong reputation on stage through her work with important theatre companies including Dostlar Tiyatrosu, Kenterler Tiyatrosu, and Bakirköy Belediye Tiyatrolari, where her performances later brought her notable theatre honors. She made her screen debut in the early 1970s and soon established herself as a gifted character actress, winning early acclaim for Hazal (1979) and later drawing praise for film performances in selective landmark works such as A Sip of Love (1984), Don't Let Them Shoot the Kite (1989), and Vizontele (2001). On television, she became widely known and deeply associated with the beloved long-running series Bizimkiler (1989), where her portrayal of Ayla Hanim made her a familiar presence to generations of viewers. After the series ended, she continued to work steadily in both film and television, appearing in later productions including Time Goes By (2010), The Pit (2017), and The Gift (2019), while also maintaining her standing as a serious stage actress. Her theatre work remained central to her artistic identity, and performances in productions such as Sezuan'in Iyi Insanlari and Oyunun Sonu further confirmed her stature, including international festival appearances and major stage recognition. Across decades of work, she has been honored with important acting and career awards, among them the Bilge Olgaç Achievement Award and the Cinema Honor Award at the Istanbul Film Festival, reflecting a career defined by consistency, artistic range, and lasting cultural presence.

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Biography from IMDb.

Born
March 5, 1945 (81)
From
Bursa, Turkey
Works as
Actor
Titles
15 on MovieCove · 84 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 2% in 30 days

What are Meral Çetinkaya's films like?

Across their 9 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 52nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 25th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
35%
Bonds
34%
Society
14%
Power
8%
Morality
5%
Survival
3%
Identity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 8 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 4 · Serious 1 · Dark 3

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 5 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 0 · Charged 6 · Intense 2

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 4 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 3 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 4 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 2 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 4

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 5 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

1 analyzed role

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Contemplative
6
Tense
3
Hopeful
3
Warm
2
Melancholic
3
Other
4

How their films linger

Hopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet5
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Meral Çetinkaya's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 5 of their 15 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Netflix (2).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Meral Çetinkaya's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

84 credits, 15 with a MovieCove page.

  • Soy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Actor

  • Etherna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Old Isabella

  • Those Who Whistle After Dark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Anneanne

  • Actually Everyone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Hamiyet

  • The Galactic Plectrum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Shaman Ana

  • In Algorithm We Trust (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Charlotte Serrault

  • Aşkın Dünkü Çocukları (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Molekül Kıymet

  • Another Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 10 episodes · as Naciye

  • Tete ve Masal: Rüyalar Diyarı (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • Tour Guide (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Zeliha

  • The Late Offices (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 1 episode · as Hatice

  • Yaren Leylek (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Actor

  • Tears of Cem Karaca (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Actor

  • Vatikan'ın Şifresi: Bir Temel Macerası (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • Oh Belinda(2023)

    as Bilge Kadin

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • A Matter of Prestige(2023)

    as Belkıs Aran

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Iron Woman: Neslican (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • Darmaduman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 9 episodes · as Ayla Servet

  • Sizi Dinliyorum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Tijen

  • Dalgalar ve İzler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Mom

  • Aziz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 28 episodes · as Hatice Ana

  • Some Interesting Events (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • Just Different (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • Ariza (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Hatice Ana

  • The Gift(2019)

    Show 24 episodes · as Zühre

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • The Miracle 2: Love(2019)

    as Hazar

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Sibel(2018)

    as Narin

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Bir Mucize Olsun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Mehmed: The Conqueror (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 6 episodes · as Daye Hatun

  • Fegere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Secrets from the Past (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Ayla: The Daughter of War(2017)

    as Yaşlı Nimet

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Pit(2017)

    Show 11 episodes · as Makbule

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Benim Babam Bir Melek (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Murtaza (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Bride of Istanbul (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 10 episodes · as Ülfet

  • Vezir Parmagi(2017)

    as Safiye Hatun

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Mother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 9 episodes · as Zeynep Anne

  • Babaannem (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • Ve Panayir Köyden Gider(2015)

    as Ayşe

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Cahide Devekuşu'nun Açık Evliliği (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Cahide Devekuşu

  • Dust Cloth(2015)

    as Çerkez Hanım

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Miracle(2015)

    as Hazar

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Urfalıyam Ezelden (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • Girls' Robbery (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Asuman

  • Saklı Kalan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 3 episodes · as Sitare Cevher

  • Time Goes By (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 120 episodes · as Hasefe Akarsu

  • Tales from Kars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • In Darkness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Gülseren

  • Bliss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Münevver

  • Binbir Gece (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 150 episodes · as Feride Aksal

  • One Thousand and One Nights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 90 episodes · as Peride Aksal

  • Vizontele Tuuba(2003)

    as Latif'in Karısı

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • The Devil's in the Details (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 13 episodes · as Beti

  • Gülbeyaz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 26 episodes · as Beyaz Ana

  • Maruf (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Şarapçı Kadın

  • Vizontele(2001)

    as Nevin

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Duruşma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • A Run for Money (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as I. Müşteri

  • After the Fall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Sultan

  • Solgun Bir Sarı Gül (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • The 80th Step (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Zeynep Bender

  • Yaz Yağmuru (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • The Trace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • Yazlıkçılar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 40 episodes · as Yaprak

  • Robert's Movie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Fahişe

  • Denize Hançer Düştü (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Feriha

  • Piano Piano Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Münevver

  • Çiplak(1991)

    as Grandmother

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Suyun Öte Yanı (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • İki Başlı Dev (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Hafize

  • Don't Let Them Shoot the Kite(1989)

    as Safinaz

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Our People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 459 episodes · as Ayla Dönmez

  • From Canto to Tango (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Scenes of Tide (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Emel

  • Keşanlı Ali Destanı (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Ponente Lighthouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Büyükanne

  • Despite Everything (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Hasan'ın Ablası

  • Su da Yanar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • The Escape (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • A Sip of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Nezaket

  • The Wall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Mahkum

  • Hazal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Atıf Hoca En Çok Kadınları Sevdi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 84 titles, 83 of them dated from 1979 to 2026; peak year 2018.

Biggest box office

Vezir Parmagi (2017)

$2.2M worldwide

Highest rated

Ayla: The Daughter of War (2017)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

The Gift (2019)

Film career

19792026

Peak 2018 · steadily prominent in film for years. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1983Screen debut· The Wall
  • 2017Career best· Ayla: The Daughter of War

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting84 of 84: 84 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score68th

By decade

1970s1 · acting1980s11 · acting1990s14 · acting2000s9 · acting2010s24 · acting2020s24 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 12 roles
8303

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Meral Çetinkaya's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 68th percentile, the median of all 13; across their 8 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 52nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Approval · how many liked their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Reach · how many have seen their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Midcredits score across 15 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

5 of their 15 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Divisive3
  • Crowd Pleaser5
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

Vezir Parmagi (2017)

93rd percentile spread · 57% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Ayla: The Daughter of War (2017)

Midcredits 99th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 76/100 in their films, across 6 reviewed titles; fans 85, detractors 37. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Meral Çetinkaya's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 29 · mildMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Meral Çetinkaya work with?

People who share at least 2 of Meral Çetinkaya's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Mahsun Kirmizigül shares the most, 2.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers