Amsterdam Empire immerses viewers in the glamorous yet dangerous world of Amsterdam’s marijuana coffee shops, where luxury, ambition, and revenge collide. This crime drama follows the rise and fall of powerful players entangled in deceit, betrayal, and high-stakes rivalries.
Famke Janssen, iconic former pop diva, plays Betty, a ruthless and vengeful wife, marking her return to the big screen in a major Dutch production. Here’s everything we know about the show, including its release date on Netflix. The trailer is at the bottom of the article.
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Amsterdam Empire – all the key details
- Title: Amsterdam Empire
- Genre: Crime
- Country of Production: Netherlands
- Original Language: Dutch
- Year of Production / Release: 2025
- Duration: 1 season
- Creators and Directors: created by Nico Moolenaar, Piet Matthys, Bart Uytdenhouwen; directed by Jonas Govaerts and Max Porcelijn
- Cast: Famke Janssen, Jacob Derwig, Elise Schaap, Jade Olieberg, Jesse Mensah, Yannick van de Velde
- Production: Pupkin (A Team Productions) for Netflix, co-produced with A Team Productions
What Amsterdam Empire is about
The story follows Jack van Doorn, founder of the “Jackal” coffee shop empire, as he navigates a world filled with crime, rivalries, and often complicated Dutch laws. His secret relationship with a journalist comes to light, but the real threat lies within his own home: Betty, his wife and former pop star, who knows all his weaknesses. Her cold and calculated revenge threatens to destroy everything Jack has built.
The cast
The cast combines familiar faces to Dutch audiences with new talents. Famke Janssen plays Betty, a strong-willed woman who commands the scene. Alongside her, Jacob Derwig is Jack van Doorn, an ambitious entrepreneur with dark plans. Completing the trio is Elise Schaap as Marjolein. The cast also includes Jade Olieberg, Jesse Mensah, Yannick van de Velde, Romana Vrede, Victor Löw, Raymond Thiry, and Chris Nietvelt.
What to expect from the show
Creators Nico Moolenaar, Piet Matthys, and Bart Uytdenhouwen, already known for the success of Undercover and Ferry, now explore the underground world of mafia linked to coffee shops. The direction by Jonas Govaerts and Max Porcelijn, with cinematography by Seppe Van Grieken (known for The Serpent), promises an elegant and intense show, standing out in the crime genre landscape.
As Netflix states in the synopsis it released: “Amsterdam Empire is a crime drama full of glamour and grime, set in the heart of Amsterdam’s cannabis scene”, adding that in this story “love goes up in smoke“.
Is it based on a true story?
Although the setting and characters may seem real, Amsterdam Empire is a fictional thriller, therefore not a true story.
Release date on Netflix
The series is available on Netflix starting October 30, 2025. Be ready ► Watch on Netflix
