After the pain of a six-year relationship ending and no work in hand—Meryem's life stood at a difficult crossroads. She didn't even know how she would pay next month's rent. In that difficult time of life, she needed work to survive.

Just then, the wheel of fate turned. Through a person she knew from theatre, her acting video reached a major production house in Istanbul. The company was then looking for a new face for the lead role in a big project.

Getting the call for audition, Meryem thought that if she got some small supporting role, she could cover her monthly expenses. But the makers chose her for the central character Hurrem Sultan.

Reading the script of the first episode, the psychological depth of the character deeply moved her. Forgetting the pain of her real life, she completely immersed herself in the character of Hurrem. In Meryem's words, the character was 'like a bomb waiting to explode'.

Over the next three years, she brought the character to life through power, love, aggression and various ups and downs. The makers too did not know then that the series would become so popular.

Flawless acting and dedication brought Meryem historic success. On her birthday, this story reminds us—after the hardest night, the light of a new dawn shines.