Looking for the best series from the Netherlands to watch tonight? Dutch television has much more to offer than Amsterdam crime stories. From gripping crime dramas and international thrillers to family dramas and series that give us a closer look at everyday Dutch life, there is a Dutch TV series for almost every type of viewer.
Our top recommendation for international viewers is Undercover if you enjoy crime and suspense. If you want something newer and strongly connected to Amsterdam, Amsterdam Empire is an obvious choice. If you prefer an English language detective series filmed in the Netherlands, Van der Valk is worth considering.
We have also included several other Dutch series so you can choose based on what you actually want to watch. Some are ideal for crime fans, while others are better if you want comedy, family drama or a more everyday view of life in the Netherlands.
Last updated: August 25, 2026.
Why Dutch Series Deserve a Spot on Your Watchlist
Dutch series are an easy way to discover another side of the Netherlands before or during a trip. Instead of seeing only the famous canals and historic buildings of Amsterdam, we can see Dutch cities, neighborhoods, workplaces, families and landscapes through the stories told by local filmmakers.
There is also a practical reason to explore Dutch television. Several internationally successful Dutch productions are available outside the Netherlands, and some have English subtitles or English audio. Availability can vary by country and can change over time, so we recommend checking the streaming service available in your own country before planning a viewing night.
Dutch crime series are an excellent place to start
Crime is one of the strongest international calling cards of Dutch television. Dutch and Belgian productions have produced several successful crime stories, with Undercover being one of the best known examples.
The appeal is not only the criminal storyline. These series often move between different parts of the Netherlands and give us a visual impression of places that tourists might otherwise never see. Brabant, Amsterdam and other Dutch locations can become part of the story rather than simply serving as a background.
Dutch television is not only about crime
If crime is not our favorite genre, there are plenty of alternatives. Dutch television also includes family dramas, comedy, thrillers and stories about ordinary life.
For example, Oogappels follows four very different families dealing with the challenges of raising children. NPO Start currently lists a seventh season, making it one of the clearest examples of a Dutch series that has developed into a long running domestic favorite.
That variety matters when we are searching for the best series from the Netherlands. The best choice depends on what we want from the viewing experience.
Which Dutch series should we watch first?
If you want a quick answer, you can use this guide:
- For crime and suspense: Undercover
- For a modern Amsterdam setting: Amsterdam Empire
- For an English language detective series: Van der Valk
- For a longer family drama: Oogappels
- For the wider Ferry story: Undercover together with Ferry: The Series and the Ferry films
Our choice can also depend on whether we want to hear Dutch. If we are specifically trying to experience the Dutch language, choosing an original Dutch language production with English subtitles can make the viewing experience more interesting.
Undercover Is One of the Best Dutch Crime Series to Start With
Undercover is one of the most internationally recognized Dutch crime series and remains one of our strongest recommendations for anyone searching for the best Dutch TV series.
The story follows undercover agents Bob and Kim as they attempt to infiltrate the criminal organization of drug lord Ferry Bouman. They pose as a couple and move close to their target, creating a situation in which professional responsibilities and personal relationships increasingly become difficult to separate.
Netflix currently lists three seasons of Undercover and classifies the production as a drama, crime and thriller series. The Netflix listing also confirms English subtitles, making it particularly accessible to international viewers.
Why Undercover is worth watching
The main strength of Undercover is its combination of suspense and character development. The story is not simply about police officers catching criminals. The undercover operation forces the characters to live inside a world where trust is constantly uncertain.
Ferry Bouman is particularly important to the series. His presence gives the story a recognizable central figure and eventually connects Undercover with a larger group of films and television episodes surrounding the character.
For viewers who enjoy international crime dramas, Undercover also provides a useful introduction to Dutch and Belgian television. The production crosses the border between the two countries, which gives the story a broader setting than a series focused entirely on one Dutch city.
How many seasons of Undercover are there?
There are currently three seasons of Undercover. The first season introduces the undercover operation surrounding Ferry Bouman. The later seasons expand the story and change the circumstances surrounding the main characters.
That makes Undercover a particularly good choice if we want something that can keep us watching for several evenings rather than a short standalone story.
Netflix currently lists English subtitles alongside the original Flemish audio, so international viewers can follow the series without needing to understand Dutch or Flemish.
Should we watch Ferry before Undercover?
Not necessarily. We can start with Undercover because the series works as its own crime story.
However, viewers who become interested in Ferry Bouman can continue into the wider story. Ferry: The Series is a prequel to Undercover and follows Ferry as he builds his criminal position in the Netherlands. Netflix describes it as a continuation of the story introduced by the 2021 film Ferry and a prequel to Undercover.
After exploring the television series, we can also watch Ferry 2. It is important to note that Ferry 2 is a film rather than another season of Undercover or Ferry: The Series. Netflix currently lists it as a crime, drama and thriller movie and confirms English subtitles.
If the Ferry storyline is what brings us to this article, there is therefore a natural viewing pathway: Ferry, Ferry: The Series, Undercover and then Ferry 2.
Amsterdam Empire Brings Dutch Crime Drama Into Modern Amsterdam
If we have already watched Undercover and want another Dutch crime drama, Amsterdam Empire is one of the most obvious modern choices.
The series is set around Amsterdam’s coffeeshop world and follows Jack van Doorn, the founder of the Jackal coffeeshop empire. When his affair becomes public, his wife Betty decides to fight back and target the empire he has built.
Netflix currently lists Amsterdam Empire as a Dutch drama and crime series with seven episodes. The cast includes Famke Janssen, Jacob Derwig and Elise Schaap. Netflix also currently lists English subtitles and Dutch as the original audio.
Why Amsterdam Empire is different from Undercover
Although both series involve crime, they offer different viewing experiences.
Undercover concentrates heavily on undercover operations, criminal networks and the tension created by living under a false identity. Amsterdam Empire is more focused on power, relationships, betrayal and the struggle surrounding a successful Amsterdam coffeeshop empire.
That makes Amsterdam Empire a good next choice for viewers who have finished Undercover but still want a Dutch crime story.
Amsterdam becomes part of the story
One of the reasons we recommend Amsterdam Empire is its strong connection with the Dutch capital. Amsterdam is not simply mentioned in the title. The city forms an important part of the atmosphere and identity of the production.
For travelers, that creates another reason to watch. We can compare the Amsterdam we see in a fictional crime drama with the city we experience during a real visit.
If television has made us curious about the Netherlands, we can continue exploring the country through our other articles. For example, our guide to the best movies from the Netherlands you need to watch is a natural next step if we want to continue discovering Dutch stories through film.
Is Amsterdam Empire available with English subtitles?
Yes. Netflix currently lists English subtitles for Amsterdam Empire, along with several other subtitle languages. The original audio is Dutch. Because streaming catalogues can differ between countries, we should still check the Netflix catalogue in our own location before watching.
For international viewers, this makes Amsterdam Empire an especially straightforward way to experience a contemporary Dutch production without needing to understand Dutch.
Van der Valk Is a Dutch Series With an English Language Twist
If we want to see the Netherlands on screen but prefer watching a series in English, Van der Valk is an excellent choice. The series follows detective Piet van der Valk as he investigates crimes in Amsterdam, combining mystery with the atmosphere of the Dutch capital.
Unlike Undercover and Amsterdam Empire, Van der Valk is an English language production. The story is based on the detective created by British author Nicolas Freeling, but the television series is firmly connected to Amsterdam. The canals, historic buildings, museums, streets and surrounding landscapes give the series a distinctly Dutch setting.
That makes Van der Valk particularly interesting for international viewers. We can enjoy a crime mystery while also getting a visual introduction to Amsterdam. If we are planning a trip to the Netherlands, the series can even give us another perspective on places we may encounter during our visit.
Why Van der Valk is worth watching
The biggest advantage of Van der Valk is the combination of an accessible English language story and a recognizably Dutch setting. We do not need to understand Dutch to follow the investigation, while Amsterdam remains an important part of the experience.
The series also offers a different atmosphere from Undercover. Undercover is built around undercover operations and criminal networks, while Van der Valk focuses more strongly on individual mysteries and police investigations.
If we enjoy detective stories but are looking for something less focused on organized crime, Van der Valk is therefore a natural choice.
Amsterdam is almost another character
One of the reasons Van der Valk works so well for travelers is the role of Amsterdam itself. The city provides the setting for the investigations and helps create the identity of the series.
We see a side of Amsterdam that goes beyond the usual tourist images. The familiar canals and historic architecture are there, but they appear alongside modern neighborhoods, offices, residential areas and less obvious parts of the city.
This can make the series especially appealing if we are interested in seeing how Amsterdam works as a real city rather than simply as a collection of tourist attractions.
Who should watch Van der Valk?
- Choose Van der Valk if you prefer English language television.
- Choose Van der Valk if you enjoy detective mysteries.
- Choose Van der Valk if Amsterdam is part of our travel plans.
- Choose Van der Valk if you want a Dutch setting without needing to follow Dutch dialogue.
If your priority is authentic Dutch language and culture instead, you may prefer one of the original Dutch language productions elsewhere in this guide.
The Best Dutch Series for Different Types of Viewers
There is no single best Dutch series for everyone. A viewer looking for a tense crime thriller has a very different search intent from someone who wants to see everyday Dutch life.
Rather than simply choosing the most famous title, we can make the decision easier by starting with the type of experience we want.
Best Dutch series for crime fans
If crime is your favorite genre, Undercover should be near the top of our list. It combines Dutch and Belgian settings with undercover investigations, criminal organizations and complex characters.
Amsterdam Empire is another strong option if we want something connected to modern Amsterdam and a story involving power, relationships, ambition and the criminal side of the city’s coffeeshop industry.
For viewers who want an English language alternative, Van der Valk provides a very different type of crime story while keeping Amsterdam at the center of the experience.
This gives us a simple starting point:
- Undercover: choose it for undercover crime and suspense.
- Amsterdam Empire: choose it for modern Amsterdam, ambition and drama.
- Van der Valk: choose it for English language detective mysteries.
Best Dutch series for seeing the Netherlands
If your main reason for watching Dutch television is to see the Netherlands, we should pay attention to the setting as much as the story.
Amsterdam is particularly prominent in Van der Valk and Amsterdam Empire, while Undercover takes us beyond the standard image of the Netherlands as Amsterdam alone. This is important because the Netherlands is much more diverse than its capital.
Watching several productions can therefore give us a broader impression of the country. One series may introduce us to Amsterdam, while another can show different communities, landscapes or aspects of Dutch society.
For travelers, this creates an interesting way to prepare for a trip. We can watch a series first, recognize certain locations later and then explore the real places ourselves.
Best Dutch series for international viewers
International viewers often have two questions before starting a Dutch series: Can you understand it? and Will you be able to find it?
English subtitles make many Dutch language productions accessible, while English language productions such as Van der Valk remove the language barrier altogether. Streaming availability can vary depending on where we live, so it is better to check our local streaming services before deciding what to watch.
If we specifically want to experience Dutch language and pronunciation, however, choosing an original Dutch language series with English subtitles can be more rewarding than watching an English language production filmed in the Netherlands.
Best Dutch series for learning about Dutch culture
Crime dramas can certainly show us parts of Dutch society, but they should not be treated as documentaries about the Netherlands.
If we want to understand more about everyday Dutch life, family relationships and social expectations, we should also look beyond crime. Productions such as Oogappels offer a different perspective by focusing on families and the challenges that come with raising children and dealing with relationships.
This difference is worth remembering when we search for the best series from the Netherlands. The best series for discovering Dutch culture may not be the same as the best series for pure entertainment.
Best choice if we want something to binge
If our goal is to find a series that can keep us watching for several evenings, a multi season production such as Undercover can be a particularly convenient choice.
If we prefer a shorter viewing experience, a limited series or a production with fewer episodes may be more suitable. This is another reason why our recommendation should start with our available time rather than simply with the title that has the highest profile.
How to Choose the Right Dutch Series for Our Next Viewing Night
We can make the choice surprisingly simple by asking ourselves one question: What do you want to get from the series?
If you want suspense
Start with Undercover. It is the strongest choice in this article if we want a tense crime story with recurring characters and multiple seasons.
If you want Amsterdam
Choose Amsterdam Empire or Van der Valk. Both make Amsterdam an important part of the viewing experience, but they approach the city from very different perspectives.
If you want English
Start with Van der Valk. It allows us to experience Amsterdam through a crime mystery without relying on subtitles for the dialogue.
If you want Dutch language
Choose an original Dutch language production and use English subtitles if necessary. This gives us the opportunity to hear how the language sounds while still following the story.
If you want everyday Dutch life
Look beyond crime and choose a family drama such as Oogappels. This type of series can provide a very different impression of the Netherlands from the world presented in crime dramas.
If you want to continue exploring Dutch screen culture
We do not have to stop with television. Dutch cinema offers another way to discover the country, its history, its cities and its culture.
Our next logical choice is our guide to the best movies from the Netherlands you need to watch. It is a natural follow up if we have finished choosing our next Dutch series and want another Dutch story to watch.
And if we are interested specifically in the way the Netherlands appears in international television, we can continue with the Netherlands in the series Modern Family or discover the Netherlands in the series How I Met Your Mother.
Which Dutch Series Should YouWatch First?
Choosing between the best series from the Netherlands becomes much easier when we match the series to the experience we are looking for. A crime fan may want something completely different from a traveler who simply wants to see more of Amsterdam on screen.
Instead of asking which Dutch series is objectively the best, we can ask a more useful question: which Dutch series is best for you?
Choose Undercover for the strongest crime experience
If we want suspense, criminal networks, undercover operations and characters who are constantly placed in difficult situations, Undercover is our strongest recommendation.
It is also a good starting point if we want to explore the wider Ferry storyline afterwards. Once we become interested in Ferry Bouman, we have several connected stories to explore rather than having to stop after one series.
For viewers who enjoy international crime television, Undercover is therefore more than a single Dutch recommendation. It can become the starting point for an entire viewing journey.
Choose Amsterdam Empire for modern Amsterdam
If our main interest is contemporary Amsterdam, Amsterdam Empire deserves our attention. The series combines relationships, ambition, power and crime while placing Amsterdam firmly at the center of the story.
It is particularly suitable if we have already watched Undercover and want something Dutch that feels different. Instead of repeating the same undercover formula, it explores another side of crime and wealth in the city.
Choose Van der Valk for an English language mystery
If we want a crime series set in Amsterdam but do not want to rely on subtitles, Van der Valk is the easiest choice.
The English language format also makes it useful for viewers who are interested in the Netherlands but are not familiar with Dutch television. We can concentrate on the mystery while enjoying Amsterdam as the setting.
Choose Oogappels for everyday Dutch life
If our interest is less about crime and more about Dutch people, families and relationships, Oogappels takes us in a completely different direction.
This is particularly useful if we want our television choices to teach us something about everyday life in the Netherlands rather than presenting the country primarily through crime stories.
Our Dutch Series Comparison Guide
When we compare the main recommendations, each one has a clear reason to watch it. That makes it easier to choose without reading the entire article again.
For the best crime story
Our choice: Undercover.
Undercover is the best starting point if suspense and crime are our priorities. The three season story gives us plenty of time to become familiar with the characters and the world surrounding them.
For a modern Amsterdam story
Our choice: Amsterdam Empire.
Amsterdam Empire is the better choice if we want a contemporary story strongly connected to the Dutch capital. It combines crime with family conflict, ambition and personal relationships.
For English language viewing
Our choice: Van der Valk.
Van der Valk removes much of the language barrier while retaining the Amsterdam setting. It is therefore an easy recommendation for viewers who want a Dutch atmosphere with English dialogue.
For Dutch language and subtitles
Our choice: an original Dutch language production.
If our objective is to hear Dutch being spoken, we should choose a series originally made in Dutch and use English subtitles. This gives us a more authentic language experience than an English language production filmed in the Netherlands.
For everyday Dutch culture
Our choice: Oogappels.
Family dramas can show us aspects of Dutch society that crime series rarely explore. If we are curious about family life, relationships and the pressures of modern life in the Netherlands, Oogappels offers a useful change of perspective.
For travelers visiting the Netherlands
Our choice: watch more than one.
If we are preparing for a trip, there is no reason to limit ourselves to one production. Watching Van der Valk can give us an Amsterdam focused perspective, while Undercover and other Dutch productions can take us beyond the familiar tourist image of the country.
This is one of the most enjoyable ways to prepare for a Netherlands trip. We can discover a place through fiction first and then experience the real location ourselves.
If You Liked One Dutch Series, What Should You Watch Next?
Sometimes choosing our next series is easier when we start with what we have already enjoyed. This creates a simple viewing pathway and prevents us from spending more time searching than actually watching.
If we liked Undercover
If we liked the criminal world, suspense and recurring characters in Undercover, we can continue with the wider Ferry storyline.
We can also switch from television to film and explore the best movies from the Netherlands you need to watch. This is particularly useful if we have discovered that Dutch crime stories are our favorite way to explore Dutch screen culture.
If we liked Amsterdam Empire
If Amsterdam Empire made us curious about the Dutch capital, our next question may not be which series to watch. It may be which places we should actually visit.
That creates an opportunity to continue from entertainment into travel planning. After discovering Amsterdam through television, we can explore our Netherlands travel content and compare the fictional Amsterdam we have seen with the real city.
Looking for a movie? Our guide to the best movies from the Netherlands is another natural next step.
If we liked Van der Valk
Is the combination of detective stories and Amsterdam appealing? You may want to continue exploring productions in which the Netherlands plays an important role.
One interesting alternative is to look at how the country appears in major international comedy series. We can discover how the Netherlands appears in Modern Family and then compare it with how the Netherlands appears in How I Met Your Mother.
If we liked seeing the Netherlands on screen
If the locations were more interesting to us than the plot, we should treat Dutch television as the beginning of our exploration rather than the end.
Seeing Amsterdam, Dutch streets, canals and landscapes on screen can give us ideas for a future trip. Once we know which places caught our attention, we can use our travel guides to turn that curiosity into an actual itinerary.
If we want to move from series to movies
There is an easy next step for anyone who has enjoyed Dutch television. Dutch cinema offers another collection of stories, locations and characters that can help us discover the Netherlands from home.
Our guide to the best movies from the Netherlands you need to watch is therefore one of the most relevant articles to visit next.
And if we are particularly interested in international productions featuring the Netherlands, we can continue with the Netherlands in Modern Family or the Netherlands in How I Met Your Mother.
How to Get More From Watching Dutch Series
Watching a Dutch series can be more than a way to fill an evening. If we are interested in the Netherlands, television can help us discover the country, its cities and its culture before we ever arrive.
The trick is to choose a series according to what we want to discover. A crime thriller can introduce us to different locations and communities, while a family drama can give us a very different impression of everyday Dutch life.
Use Dutch series to discover places
Pay attention to the locations while watching. Amsterdam is one of the most recognizable settings, but Dutch productions can take us far beyond the capital.
When a particular location catches our attention, we can make a note of it. It might become somewhere we want to visit on our next trip to the Netherlands.
This turns watching television into the beginning of a travel planning process. Instead of searching randomly for places to visit, we can start with locations that already interested us through a story.
Watch with English subtitles if we want to hear Dutch
For viewers who do not speak Dutch, English subtitles make original Dutch language productions much easier to enjoy.
We can also use this as a gentle introduction to the Dutch language. Even if we understand very little at first, hearing Dutch while reading English subtitles can help us become familiar with common sounds and expressions.
If language is not important to us, an English language production such as Van der Valk can provide an easier viewing experience.
Do not judge the Netherlands by crime series alone
Crime dramas can be entertaining, but they naturally show a particular side of the country. We should not assume that the Netherlands shown in a crime series represents ordinary Dutch life.
For a broader picture, we can combine different genres. A crime series can show us one side of Dutch cities, while a family drama or comedy can provide another perspective.
This is also why watching several productions can be more rewarding than searching for one definitive “best” Dutch series.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dutch Series
What is the best Dutch series to watch first?
For most international viewers who enjoy crime and suspense, Undercover is an excellent place to start. It is internationally recognizable, has three seasons and introduces viewers to a Dutch and Belgian crime story.
If we prefer English language television, Van der Valk is a more accessible starting point. If we want a contemporary Amsterdam story, Amsterdam Empire is another strong option.
What is the best Dutch crime series?
Undercover is one of the strongest choices for viewers looking for Dutch crime television. It combines undercover police work, organized crime, suspense and recurring characters across three seasons.
After watching it, we can continue with the wider Ferry storyline or switch to other Dutch movies and series.
Are Dutch series available with English subtitles?
Many Dutch language productions are available with English subtitles, particularly titles that have found an international audience. However, availability depends on the streaming service and the country where we are watching.
For that reason, we should always check the current options in our own country rather than assuming that a particular series will be available everywhere.
Which Dutch series is best for seeing Amsterdam?
Van der Valk and Amsterdam Empire are two particularly useful choices if Amsterdam is the main reason we want to watch a Dutch series.
Both use Amsterdam as an important part of their setting, although they tell very different stories. Van der Valk focuses on detective investigations, while Amsterdam Empire combines crime, relationships and ambition.
Which Dutch series is best for learning about Dutch culture?
There is no single answer because different genres show different parts of Dutch life.
If we want to see family relationships and everyday social situations, a family drama such as Oogappels may be more useful than a crime thriller. If we want to experience Dutch cities and landscapes, productions filmed in different parts of the country can provide a broader perspective.
Is Ferry part of Undercover?
Yes, the Ferry storyline is connected to Undercover, but it is important to distinguish the different productions.
Ferry is a movie, Ferry: The Series is a television prequel, Undercover is the main series, and Ferry 2 is a later movie. Together they create a larger story around Ferry Bouman.
If we become fans of the character after watching Undercover, this connected storyline gives us a natural way to continue watching.
Can we watch Dutch series if we do not speak Dutch?
Absolutely. English subtitles make many Dutch language productions accessible to international viewers.
In fact, watching a Dutch series with English subtitles can be a good way to experience Dutch language and culture at the same time. If we would rather avoid subtitles altogether, an English language production filmed in the Netherlands may be a better choice.
What should you do next?
Now that we have narrowed down the best series from the Netherlands, the easiest next step is to choose according to our interests.
If you want another Dutch crime story
Start with Undercover if we have not watched it yet. If we have already finished it, the Ferry storyline gives us another way to continue.
We can also move from television to Dutch cinema with our guide to the best movies from the Netherlands you need to watch.
If Amsterdam is what interests you most
If the locations in these series have made us curious about Amsterdam, our next step should be to explore the real city.
Watching Amsterdam on screen gives us an introduction, but visiting the city lets us experience the canals, neighborhoods, architecture and atmosphere for ourselves.
We can also stay in the world of television and discover how Amsterdam and the Netherlands appear in international productions.
If you want to see the Netherlands in international television
Our Dutch series recommendations are only one part of the story. The Netherlands has also appeared in popular international television shows.
If we are curious about how the country is portrayed in American comedy, continue with the Netherlands in the series Modern Family.
We can then compare that portrayal with the Netherlands in the series How I Met Your Mother.
If you would rather watch a Dutch movie
Perhaps we have decided that a full television series is more of a commitment than we want. In that case, a Dutch movie may be the better choice.
Our guide to the best movies from the Netherlands you need to watch is the natural next article to visit.
If you are planning a trip to the Netherlands
Our viewing journey can also become a travel journey.
We can start with a Dutch series, identify the locations that interest us, explore them through our Netherlands travel guides and then decide which cities and attractions deserve a place on our itinerary.
That is one of the best things about discovering the Netherlands through television. The story does not have to end when the credits roll.
Once we have chosen our series, there is no reason to stop exploring. You can continue with Dutch movies, discover the Netherlands in international television, or use what we have seen on screen as inspiration for our next trip.
