If you have been watching the Turkish drama Yeraltı, you may have noticed Melek Aslan, the young woman whose connection to Haydar Ali brings another emotional dimension to the story. But who plays Melek, and where have you seen the actress before?
The actress behind the character is Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi, a Turkish performer who has been working in television since childhood. Although many international viewers are discovering her through Yeraltı, she has already appeared in several familiar productions, including Kırgın Çiçekler, Dönence, Tozkoparan İskender and İnci Taneleri.
Her experience is worth exploring because she has taken on quite different characters over the years. From her early television appearances to her emotionally demanding performance as Gülce in Dönence, she has steadily developed her experience as an actress.
Here is what to know about Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi, her career, and the roles that brought her to Yeraltı.
Who Is Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi?
Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi is a Turkish actress born on 11 January 2009 in Devrek, Zonguldak, Türkiye.
Her interest in acting started when she was a very young child. In a November 2023 interview with Episode Magazine, she said she would get up very early, watch TV, and mimic the people on screen. She would do little performances of her own, essentially imagining what it would be like to be an actress.
At that time, she lived in a smaller city and thought pursuing an acting career would be difficult. Her family later moved to Istanbul, where they supported her ambition by enrolling her with an acting agency.
She began with advertising work before receiving opportunities in television.
One interesting detail from her interview is how much she learned from working alongside experienced performers. She particularly remembered sharing a set with Çetin Tekindor during Karadayı. At the time, she was still learning what professional acting involved, and she described his discipline and work ethic as an important influence.
It is a detail that gives a better understanding of her experience than a simple list of television appearances.
You can read her full interview with Episode Magazine.
How Old Is Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi?
Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi was born on 11 January 2009. She will turn 17 in November 2026.
Here are her basic details:
- Full name: Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi
- Date of birth: 11 January 2009
- Age: 17
- Birthplace: Devrek, Zonguldak, Türkiye
- Nationality: Turkish
- Profession: Actress
- Zodiac sign: Capricorn
- Known for: Dönence, İnci Taneleri and Yeraltı
- Current role: Melek Aslan in Yeraltı
Her date of birth and birthplace are recorded by NOW and SinemaTürk.
Who Plays Melek in Yeraltı?
The actress who plays Melek Aslan in Yeraltı is Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi.
Melek is the younger sister of Haydar Ali Aslan, portrayed by Deniz Can Aktaş. She also has a close connection with Halide Ceylan, played by Devrim Özkan.
According to NOW’s official character description, Melek grew up without knowing her family. She is described as an innocent, loving, and self-sacrificing young woman who is deeply attached to her brother and Ceylan.
This background helps explain why Melek’s presence matters to the story.
While Yeraltı explores revenge, crime, difficult loyalties, and complicated relationships, Melek brings a more personal family dimension to the drama. Her circumstances are different from those of the people surrounding her, and her relationship with Haydar Ali gives viewers another perspective on his character.
For anyone searching for the actress behind Melek, NOW confirms the casting on its official Melek Aslan profile.
Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi in Kırgın Çiçekler
Before joining Yeraltı, Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi appeared in the Turkish drama Kırgın Çiçekler, also known internationally as Orphan Flowers.
She played Gülcan in the series.
The story follows a group of young girls living in an orphanage and explores their experiences with friendship, family, love, and difficult circumstances. The series became popular with Turkish television audiences for its moving storylines and ensemble cast.
For viewers who have only recently discovered Çiftçi through Yeraltı, this is one of the earlier productions worth exploring.
Her appearance in Kırgın Çiçekler also shows how long she has been working in the industry. She was still a child when she took on this role, several years before her performances in Dönence and İnci Taneleri brought her to a wider audience.
Dönence: The Role That Showed Her Acting Range
One of the most important performances in Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi’s career came with Kanal D’s Dönence in 2023.
She portrayed Gülce Olgun, Gece’s younger sister. Gülce is written as a young person on the autism spectrum, and her experiences hold an important part in the family’s story.
The preparation behind this role is particularly interesting.
In an interview published by Kanal D on 4 August 2023, Çiftçi explained that she initially felt excited when she read the script but gradually realised how challenging the character would be.
She said she spent about three weeks preparing for Gülce. During that period, she visited Tohum Autism Foundation and met people to understand better experiences she had not previously been familiar with.
She also spoke about the difficulties of filming certain scenes. One particularly demanding shopping-centre scene required numerous takes, and she recalled becoming upset during the process before deciding to try again.
These details show the work that went into the performance. Rather than simply accepting another television role, she spent time learning about the character and the experiences she needed to portray.
Her performance earned her a nomination in the Best Child Actress category at the 49th Pantene Altın Kelebek Awards.
For viewers interested in her acting beyond Yeraltı, Dönence is an excellent starting point.
Read her Kanal D interview about playing Gülce.
Her Role as Ayça in İnci Taneleri
Another important production in her career is İnci Taneleri, the drama created by and starring Yılmaz Erdoğan.
Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi plays Ayça in the series, which began broadcasting in 2024.
It follows Azem Yücedağ, a teacher whose life is completely upended by a tragic incident. As he tries to get his life back on track and re-establish contact with his family, it’s a story of relationships, secrets, and the fallout from past actions.
Her performance as Ayça helped introduce her to a wider audience.
There is also an interesting personal detail from this period. In a Kanal D interview, Çiftçi spoke about her respect for the late singer Ferdi Tayfur. She explained that listening to his music and reading the lyrics had encouraged her to return to making song covers.
It is a small detail, but it shows that her interests go beyond acting.
What Does Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi Enjoy Outside Acting?
Music and performing arts have been important interests for Çiftçi since childhood.
In her 2023 Kanal D interview, she spoke about singing, learning the bağlama and ukulele, and dancing. She described artistic expression as something she wanted to keep in her life as she grew older.
She also appeared in the stage musical 1923, a production celebrating the centenary of the Turkish Republic.
In her interview with Episode Magazine, she described the experience as something she had wanted to try for a long time. The rehearsals and working with the cast made it a particularly meaningful opportunity.
Another interesting fact is that she has spoken about her love of horseback riding, poetry, and music in a 2024 interview with Vogue Türkiye.
These interests add another dimension to her profile. She is not simply an actress with a growing filmography; she has also explored different forms of performance and creative expression.
Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi’s TV Shows and Movies
Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi has appeared in a variety of Turkish productions since childhood. Her work includes television dramas, youth-oriented series, comedy programmes, and feature films.
Here are selected credits from her filmography, with character names included where supported by the available records.
| Year | Production | Character |
| 2013 | Arka Sokaklar | Duru |
| 2014 | Karadayı | Zeynep |
| 2014 | Elif | Melek |
| 2015–2017 | Kırgın Çiçekler | Gülcan |
| 2016 | Arkadaşlar İyidir | Derin |
| 2015–2016 | O Hayat Benim | Cimcime |
| 2017 | Nerdesin Birader? | Duygu |
| 2018 | Adı: Zehra | Mine Kurdoğlu |
| 2018 | Bir Litre Gözyaşı | Eda Yürekli |
| 2021 | Tozkoparan İskender | Duygu |
| 2022 | Gülümse Kaderine | Character attribution varies |
| 2023 | Dönence | Gülce Olgun |
| 2024 | İnci Taneleri | Ayça |
| 2026 | Yeraltı | Melek Aslan |
Her Film Appearances
Her selected film credits include:
- Siccin 3: Cürmü Aşk (2016): A Turkish horror film in which she played Elif.
- İyi Oyun (2018): Also listed internationally as Good Game: The Beginning, a film set inside the competitive gaming world.
- Kayıp Kamyon (2024): A Turkish feature film in which she played Zeynep.
- Lacivert Gece (2021): Another film credit in her filmography.
For a more extensive list of her appearances, see SinemaTürk’s filmography and biography.
Which Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi Series Should You Watch First?
If you discovered the actress through Yeraltı and want to explore her earlier work, three productions are particularly worth considering.
Dönence: Watch this for her portrayal of Gülce. The preparation she described in interviews makes this one of the most interesting performances in her career.
İnci Taneleri: A good choice if you want to see her in a more mature prime-time drama together with established performers.
Kırgın Çiçekler: For viewers interested in her beginnings, this series offers a look at her earlier work as a child actress.
Together, these productions present a clearer picture of how her acting career has developed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who plays Melek in Yeraltı?
Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi plays Melek Aslan in the Turkish television drama Yeraltı.
How old is Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi?
She is 17 years old as of November 2026. Her birthday is 11 January 2009.
What character did she play in Kırgın Çiçekler?
She portrayed Gülcan in the Turkish drama Kırgın Çiçekler, internationally known as Orphan Flowers.
Which character did she play in Dönence?
She played Gülce Olgun, Gece’s younger sister. Gülce is a young person on the autism spectrum.
Did she appear in İnci Taneleri?
Yes. She played Ayça in the Kanal D drama starring Yılmaz Erdoğan.
Where was Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi born?
She was born in Devrek, Zonguldak province, Türkiye.
What are her most notable television series?
Her notable credits include Yeraltı, İnci Taneleri, Dönence, Kırgın Çiçekler, Tozkoparan İskender, Karadayı, and Elif.
Final Thoughts
Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi’s journey in Turkish television began with a childhood ambition and developed through years of working on different productions.
From Gülcan in Kırgın Çiçekler and Gülce in Dönence to Ayça in İnci Taneleri and now Melek in Yeraltı, she has taken on characters with different personalities and stories.
What makes her career interesting is not simply the number of productions she has appeared in. It is also the preparation, curiosity, and enthusiasm she has described in her own interviews.
For viewers who have recently discovered her through Yeraltı, exploring her earlier performances offers a fuller picture of the young actress behind Melek Aslan.
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