You’ve probably seen her face recently. Maybe she was playing a steely drug matriarch on Netflix, or perhaps you caught her in a gritty Dutch drama that left you thinking for days. Nazmiye Oral is one of those actors who doesn't just "play" a role; she occupies it.
She's been a powerhouse in the Netherlands for decades, but lately, the rest of the world is finally catching up. Honestly, it’s about time. From the high-stakes crime of Undercover to her recent jump into major Hollywood action, the list of Nazmiye Oral movies and tv shows is becoming a roadmap for one of the most interesting careers in modern cinema.
The Undercover Effect: Leyla Bulut and Global Fame
If you’re a Netflix binger, you likely know her as Leyla Bulut. In the third season of the Belgian-Dutch hit Undercover, Oral didn't just play a "villain." She played a woman balancing the brutal reality of a Turkish XTC network with the fierce, protective instincts of a mother and wife.
It was a masterclass.
While the show often focuses on the cat-and-mouse game between Bob Lemmens and Ferry Bouman, Oral brought a sophisticated, simmering tension that moved the series away from standard "drug drama" tropes. She made Leyla human. That’s her secret sauce. She takes characters that could be caricatures and finds the pulse.
Den of Thieves 2 and the Hollywood Leap
Fast forward to 2025. If you went to see Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, you might have been surprised to see a familiar face alongside Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr.
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Oral plays Chava in the sequel.
Seeing a Dutch-Turkish actress, who spent years doing avant-garde theater in Amsterdam, trading screen time with Hollywood’s biggest "tough guys" is a trip. But she fits. She has this natural authority that translates across languages. It wasn't just a bit part, either—she was right in the middle of the European heist chaos that defined the film.
Beyond the Crime Genre: The Golden Calf and "In Vrijheid"
You can't talk about Nazmiye Oral movies and tv shows without mentioning her 2016 win. She took home the Golden Calf (the Dutch equivalent of an Oscar) for Best Actress in a Television Drama for In Vrijheid (In Freedom).
In that film, she plays Neziha, a mother whose son has returned from Syria.
It is a heavy, quiet, and devastating performance. It deals with radicalization, but from the perspective of a parent trying to find their child again—both literally and emotionally. If you want to see her actual range, skip the action movies for a second and find this one. It’s raw.
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The Unconventional Path: Theater and Taboos
Before she was a Netflix staple, Oral was (and still is) a disruptor. She co-founded the Zina theater platform.
Basically, she spent years going into neighborhoods and telling stories that people were too scared to talk about. She famously performed Niet Meer Zonder Jou (No Longer Without You) with her own mother, Havva. They sat on stage and had the difficult, "unspeakable" conversations about religion, sexuality, and freedom that many immigrant families navigate in silence.
This isn't just "acting." It’s basically cultural surgery.
A Quick Look at the Nazmiye Oral Filmography
- Undercover (TV Series): Her breakout global role as Leyla Bulut.
- Den of Thieves 2: Pantera (2025): Her big Hollywood moment as Chava.
- In Vrijheid (2016): The award-winning performance that proved she's a heavy hitter.
- Dirty Lines (2022): A Netflix series about the 80s phone sex industry where she shows up as a memorable guest.
- Rocco & Sjuul (2023): A softer, more romantic side of her acting.
- Propaganda (1999): An early Turkish film that showed her roots.
Why She’s Trending Right Now
There's a specific "Nazmiye Oral energy" that casting directors are obsessed with in 2026. She bridges the gap between different worlds. She can speak Dutch, Turkish, and English fluously, which makes her a "cheat code" for international co-productions.
But more than that, she feels real.
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In an era of overly polished AI-looking actors, Oral has a face that tells a story before she even opens her mouth. Whether she's playing a mother in a housing project or a high-level criminal in a heist, there’s a grit there.
What’s Next for Nazmiye Oral?
Keep an eye out for Almost Cops (also known as Bad BOA's), which hit Netflix recently. It’s a bit of a shift—more comedic, a bit more "buddy cop" energy—but it shows she’s not afraid to have a little fun after years of heavy drama.
There are also whispers of her returning to more writing and screenplay work. Remember, she’s not just an actor; she’s a writer and a columnist who has been challenging Dutch social norms for years.
How to catch up on her work:
- Start with Undercover Season 3. It's the most accessible entry point and shows her at her most magnetic.
- Seek out "In Vrijheid." You might need subtitles, but it’s the role that defines her as an "actor's actor."
- Watch the documentary version of "Niet Meer Zonder Jou." It will give you context on who she is as a person, which makes her fictional roles even more impressive.
Nazmiye Oral is one of those rare talents who didn't take the easy road to fame. She didn't fit into a box, so she built her own. Whether you're watching her in a massive American blockbuster or a tiny Dutch indie, you're seeing someone who has put in the work.
If you're building a watchlist, prioritize her more recent Netflix collaborations. They represent a turning point where European talent is finally getting the global stage it deserves without losing its soul.
Actionable Insight: If you're a fan of crime dramas like Narcos or Ozark, start your Nazmiye Oral journey with Undercover. Focus on Season 3 for her specific arc. For those interested in her deeper, award-winning dramatic work, look for In Vrijheid on Dutch streaming platforms or international film festival archives.