Hulul yesterday, Netflix today. Cannabis is all the rage in TV land at the moment..
Netflix has announced a new cannabis show based on a crime drama set in Amsterdam, bringing out the cannabis scene of the Dutch capital.
Netflix European executive Larry Tanz announced on March 19 the new Dutch original Amsterdam Empire starring Famke Janssen amid the international TV series festival Series Mania.
The seven-part series delves into the Amsterdam cannabis scene, following Jack van Doorn, the notorious founder of the coffee shop empire Jackal, navigating a career fraught with battles against criminals, rivals, and the complexities of Dutch regulations. However, when his affair with a prominent journalist is exposed, he realizes that his most formidable adversary has been close to him all along: his betrayed wife, Betty (portrayed by Famke Janssen), a former pop star, privy to all of Jack’s vulnerabilities and secrets. She is determined to take revenge on Jack by stripping him of everything he holds dear.
Written and created by Nico Moolenaar, Piet Matthys and Bart Uytdenhouwen, directed by Jonas Govaerts, and produced by Amsterdam-based Pupkin, Amsterdam Empire is expected to be released in 2025.
While Jack’s adventures may be fictional, they wouldn’t stray far from the reality of the Amsterdam cannabis scene.
Today at Series Mania, Larry Tanz (VP of Content for EMEA) announced the new Dutch original Amsterdam Empire starring Famke Janssen. The seven-part series is written and created by Nico Moolenaar, Piet Matthys and Bart Uytdenhouwen – who are the creative minds behind popular hits Undercover & Ferry. Amsterdam Empire will be directed by Jonas Govaerts and produced by Amsterdam-based Pupkin. Famke Janssen and Nico Moolenaar will also serve as executive producers.
Antoinette Beumer, Director of Series for Benelux at Netflix: “We are excited to announce the first series from our creative partnership deal with Nico Moolenaar: Amsterdam Empire. Working with Nico, Piet, and Bart has been such a joy. After seeing their incredible work on Ferry and Undercover, we can’t wait to see how they’ll bring this captivating crime drama to life. Having Famke Janssen on board as Betty is an absolute honour, and we look forward to seeing the incredible impact she’ll bring to this role and the series.”
“It has been a long-time ambition to bring our national treasure, Famke Janssen, back to the Netherlands to see her act in a Dutch production for the first time in her illustrious career. Betty was written with Famke in mind, and I am thrilled that she’s willing to embark on this adventure with us.” said creator and executive producer, Nico Moolenaar. “After spending years in the world of Ferry Bouman, it is exciting to create a new universe. As always, I do this with my regular partners in crime, Piet Matthys and Bart Uytdenhouwen, on my side. I am privileged to add the wonderfully talented Jonas Govaerts to the team. Please stay tuned for more updates as we assemble a stellar cast and crew.”
Famke Janssen: “I am beyond excited to return home to the Netherlands for my very first Dutch role! It’s an honor to have the opportunity to work with Nico Moolenaar and the rest of this talented team. I am grateful to be back in business with Netflix once again and to be part of this truly captivating story set in the beautiful city of Amsterdam. The city that has my heart.”
About Amsterdam Empire Jack van Doorn, the rich and notorious founder of the coffee shop empire Jackal, has had to fight his entire career against criminals, competitors, and absurd Dutch laws to become the biggest of them all. When his affair with a well-known journalist comes to light, it turns out that his most dangerous enemy has been living under his roof all this time: his betrayed wife, Betty (Famke Janssen), an ex-pop diva who knows all his weak spots and secrets and will not rest until she has taken everything from him.
Amsterdam Empire is an extravagant crime drama full of glamour and grime at the heart of the Amsterdam cannabis scene.
Created by: Nico Moolenaar, Bart Uytdenhouwen & Piet Matthys Directed by: Jonas Govaerts Executive Producers: Famke Janssen & Nico Moolenaar Produced by: Pupkin, Sander van Meurs Co-produced by: A Team Productions Announced Cast: Famke Janssen
The series is slated for release in 2025.
