“Hazal Kaya delivers a career-defining performance, capturing the essence of a young woman torn between her dreams and the harsh reality of her birth.”
Ömer Faruk Sorak
Hürriyet Daily News
Adını Feriha Koydum premiered on Show TV in January 2011 and quickly became a defining series for Turkish television. Produced by Medya Yapım, the show follows Feriha Yılmaz, a young woman from a poor family who wins a scholarship to Bosphorus University. To avoid discrimination from her affluent peers, she assumes the fake identity of Feriha Sarrafoğlu, the daughter of a wealthy businessman. This deception sets off a chain of events that drives the narrative forward as she navigates two distinct worlds.
The series gained international attention for its blend of romantic comedy and social drama. Hazal Kaya delivered a performance that balanced vulnerability with resilience, while Çağatay Ulusoy played Emir Sarrafoğlu, a wealthy playboy who falls for the mysterious new student without knowing her secret. The show ran for two seasons, concluding in June 2012, and was subsequently sold to over 70 countries across the Middle East, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
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Feriha Yılmaz lives in the modest district of Istanbul with her mother Zehra and her father Hüseyin, who works as a doorman at a luxury apartment building. Despite their financial struggles, Feriha is determined to improve her life through education. She earns a full scholarship to attend one of Turkey's most prestigious universities, Bosphorus University, where the student body consists almost entirely of children from influential families. Fearful of being ostracized or bullied due to her background, Feriha decides to lie about her origins. She claims to be Feriha Sarrafoğlu, the daughter of a prominent businessman, and moves into an apartment provided by the university to maintain this facade.
Her plan seems foolproof until she meets Emir Sarrafoğlu, a charismatic but reckless heir to the very fortune she has claimed. Emir is used to getting his way and views relationships casually, yet he finds himself drawn to the intelligence and wit of the new "Feriha." Their romance blossoms amidst a backdrop of lavish parties and academic pressure, but it remains complicated by the fact that Emir is unaware of her true identity. As they grow closer, Feriha must constantly balance her real life with her fabricated one, all while trying to protect her mother from the harsh realities of her deception.
The first season establishes the central tension of the series: the fear of discovery. Feriha juggles her studies, her fake social life, and her secret relationship with Emir, often finding herself in precarious situations where her lies could unravel. The second season raises the stakes significantly as characters close to Emir begin to suspect the truth. The web of lies starts to fray, leading to moments of intense emotional conflict and dramatic confrontations. The narrative shifts from a simple story of survival to a deeper exploration of self-worth and the consequences of living a double life. Throughout the arc, the show examines the rigid class structures of modern Turkish society and how they impact personal relationships. Feriha evolves from a naive dreamer into a woman who must decide whether to fight for a future built on a foundation of falsehoods or embrace her true self regardless of the cost.
Official Trailer
Critical Consensus
Critics praised the series for its compelling blend of social realism and romantic drama, successfully challenging class stereotypes in Turkish television. Reviewers highlighted Hazal Kaya's nuanced performance as a protagonist navigating a double life, noting her ability to convey vulnerability and strength simultaneously. The show was lauded for its authentic portrayal of Istanbul's socio-economic divide and its engaging storytelling that resonated deeply with younger audiences across the Middle East.
“Hazal Kaya delivers a career-defining performance, capturing the essence of a young woman torn between her dreams and the harsh reality of her birth.”
Ömer Faruk Sorak
Hürriyet Daily News
“A refreshing take on the classic rags-to-riches trope, the series manages to be both entertaining and socially relevant without losing its emotional core.”
Meltem Ersoy
Milliyet
“The chemistry between Kaya and Ulusoy is electric, making the central romance one of the most memorable in recent Turkish television history.”
Yıldız Çelik
Sabah
Directors
Özgür Uzun, Cemal Şan
Writers
Melis Civelek, Sırma Yanık, Ahmet Ümit
Composer
Ümit Sayın
Cinematographer
Kemal Öztürk
Producer
Mehmet Bozdağ
Golden Butterfly Awards (2011)
Best Actress: Won
Golden Butterfly Awards (2011)
Best Drama Series: Won
International Arab Film Festival (2012)
Best International Series: Won
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