Get ready for a revenge story like no other! Famke Janssen is returning to screens in Netflix’s highly anticipated Dutch crime drama Amsterdam Empire, where the X-Men star plays a scorned wife seeking vengeance against her cannabis empire-owning husband. Set in the gritty underworld of Amsterdam’s cannabis scene, this seven-episode series promises glamour, betrayal, and ruthless payback.
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Quick Facts: Amsterdam Empire
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Release Date | October 30, 2025 |
| Episodes | 7 episodes |
| Genre | Crime Drama |
| Language | Dutch (with English dub available) |
| Lead Stars | Famke Janssen, Jacob Derwig |
| Creators | Nico Moolenaar, Bart Uytdenhouwen, Piet Matthys |
| Production | A Team Productions & Pupkin Film |
Plot: A Wife’s Perfect Revenge
The story centers on Jack van Doorn (Jacob Derwig), the wealthy founder of coffee shop empire “Jackal,” who has built his cannabis kingdom by fighting criminals, competitors, and Dutch legal restrictions. But when his affair with a prominent journalist becomes public, he discovers his most dangerous enemy isn’t a business rival—it’s his betrayed wife Betty (Famke Janssen).
Betty, a former pop star, knows every secret and weakness in Jack’s armor. Armed with insider knowledge and fueled by betrayal, she orchestrates a calculated campaign to strip him of everything he’s built. This isn’t just divorce court drama; it’s an all-out war fought in Amsterdam’s shadowy cannabis underworld.
Star Power: Famke Janssen’s Triumphant Return
Famke Janssen brings serious Hollywood credibility to this Dutch production. Known globally for her iconic roles as Jean Grey in the X-Men franchise and the lethal Xenia Onatopp in GoldenEye, Janssen serves as both lead actress and executive producer. This marks her first Dutch-language role, adding personal significance to her powerhouse performance.
Jacob Derwig, acclaimed for his work in Klem and Maxima, plays the cannabis kingpin whose empire crumbles under his wife’s calculated assault. The supporting cast includes Elise Schaap as journalist Marjolein Hofman and Jade Olieberg as Katja Van Doorn, ensuring strong ensemble performances throughout.
Proven Creative Team Behind the Scenes
The series comes from the creative minds behind Netflix’s Dutch hits Undercover and Ferry—creators Nico Moolenaar, Bart Uytdenhouwen, and Piet Matthys. Their track record of crafting compelling crime narratives with international appeal suggests Amsterdam Empire could become Netflix’s next global phenomenon.
Directors Jonas Govaerts and Max Porcelijn bring visual flair to Amsterdam’s cannabis culture, while cinematographer Seppe Van Grieken (The Serpent) captures both the glamour and grime of this unique criminal world.
Why This Could Be Netflix’s Next Breakout Hit
Dutch crime dramas have proven surprisingly successful on Netflix’s global platform. Undercover and Lupin demonstrate that non-English content can capture worldwide audiences when stories are compelling and production values are high. Amsterdam Empire has all the ingredients: a revenge-driven plot, a recognizable star, and the exotic backdrop of Amsterdam’s legal cannabis industry.
The series taps into universal themes—betrayal, revenge, and family dynamics—while exploring the unique legal and cultural landscape surrounding Netherlands cannabis laws. This combination of familiar emotional territory with fresh cultural context creates perfect binge-watching material.
Production Excellence and Visual Appeal
Filming wrapped in 2024 across various Netherlands locations, with post-production now complete. The series promises to showcase Amsterdam’s distinctive architecture and vibrant street culture while diving deep into the city’s cannabis coffee shop scene—a world rarely explored in mainstream television.
Netflix has confirmed both Dutch and English audio options, making the series accessible to international audiences while preserving authentic performances for Dutch viewers.
Release Strategy and Global Reach
The October 30, 2025 release date positions Amsterdam Empire as Netflix’s Halloween season premiere, perfect timing for a dark crime drama. All seven episodes will drop simultaneously, allowing for the binge-watching experience Netflix audiences expect.
This release strategy aligns with Netflix’s broader push into international content, following successful models established by series like Money Heist and Squid Game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is Amsterdam Empire based on a true story, and how accurately does it portray Amsterdam’s cannabis industry?
While Amsterdam Empire is fictional, it draws inspiration from real aspects of Amsterdam’s unique cannabis culture and the complex legal framework surrounding coffee shops in the Netherlands. The series explores the business side of cannabis retail, which operates in a legal gray area under Dutch law—coffee shops can sell cannabis but face strict regulations about suppliers and operations.
The creators, known for their research-heavy approach in Undercover and Ferry, likely consulted industry experts to ensure authentic portrayal of this world. However, the dramatic revenge plot and character relationships are purely fictional. The series uses the cannabis industry as a backdrop for exploring themes of power, betrayal, and family dynamics rather than serving as a documentary about the business itself. Viewers should expect entertainment value over educational content, though the setting provides fascinating insight into a legal framework that exists nowhere else in the world.
Q2: How does Famke Janssen’s return to television compare to her previous work, and what can fans expect from her performance?
Famke Janssen’s role in Amsterdam Empire represents a significant career evolution from her blockbuster film work. Known for playing powerful but often secondary characters in franchises like X-Men and James Bond, this series gives her the lead role and executive producer credit, allowing her to shape the narrative direction.
Her character Betty combines the intensity she brought to Jean Grey with the calculating menace of Xenia Onatopp, but in a more grounded, realistic setting. This Dutch production also marks a personal milestone—her first role in her native language since becoming an international star. Fans can expect the sophisticated screen presence that made her a global icon, but channeled into a more intimate, character-driven story. The revenge plot allows her to showcase both vulnerability and strength, moving beyond the supernatural or action contexts of her most famous roles. Her involvement as executive producer suggests she’s personally invested in delivering a complex, layered performance that could define the next phase of her career.
