Dutch culture is predominantly present in the Netherlands and Belgium, though you'll also find it in Suriname, Aruba, Curaçao, and St Maarten. The Dutch are well-known for their fine art, superior crafting, and innovative thinking. But maybe it's also about time they were known for their crime dramas.
From scandalous extramarital intrigue to global conspiracies, you'll never get bored exploring the world through international crime dramas. Check out these seven must-see Dutch crime dramas!
Women of the Night
Xandra Keiser (Karina Smulders) leads a chic yet safe life with her husband, Michiel (Matteo van der Grijn), and daughter, Lulu (Susan Radder) in Amsterdam. Though Michiel is thriving in the mayoral office, Xandra yearns for more excitement in her life. When her secret past re-emerges with the offer to manage a group of high-end escorts, she jumps at the chance. Suddenly she's knee-deep in the world of big money, sex, and drugs.
This series from the Netherlands is presented in Dutch with English subtitles. You can watch all 10 episodes now on Netflix!
The Blood Pact
Hugo Warmond's (Barry Atsma) wife died two years ago, and he's left struggling to balance his work for the tax authorities with his responsibility as a single father to two daughters. Things only get more hectic when his eight-year-old makes a new friend—the daughter of a notorious ex-criminal. Hugo is quickly drawn into a dangerous world of murder and fraud.
This series from the Netherlands is presented in Dutch with English subtitles. You can binge all 30 episodes on Amazon Prime Video with a PBS Masterpiece subscription!
The Adulterer
When photographer Iris Hoegaarde (Sylvia Hoeks) meets attorney Willem Steenhouwer (Fedja van Huêt), their instant attraction is undeniable. However, both of them are already married. As they sink under their passionate feelings, they drag themselves and their families into a tangled web of corruption and murder.
This series is produced by the Netherlands and filmed in Belgium, presented in Dutch with English subtitles. Catch all 32 episodes on Amazon Prime Video with a PBS Masterpiece subscription!
Amsterdam Vice
A historical crime drama set in Amsterdam in 1980, this series follows rookie cop Jurre de Cock (Waldemar Torenstra). This detective has just been promoted to the police force's roughest department, and must face off against both crime and social unrest. This show is a delightful reimagining of A.C. Baantjer's famous detective.
This series from the Netherlands is presented in Dutch with English subtitles. With only eight episodes, you can enjoy some quick viewing on Amazon Prime Video with an MHz Choice subscription!
Salamander
In Brussels, Belgium, the notable private bank Jonkhere is robbed during a violent raid, with 66 safety deposit boxes being plundered. The bank's clientele includes the most powerful people in Belgium, from the largest names in politics to influential members of the military. And though no money has been taken, plenty of sensitive documents have been. The crime isn't reported, but Inspector Paul Gerardi (Filip Peeters) of the Belgian Federal Police finds his way onto the baffling mystery anyway.
This series from Belgium is presented in Dutch with English subtitles. Find all 22 episodes free on Plex!
Hidden Assets
A drug bust in Limerick, Ireland links a small-time drug dealer to a terrorist bombing campaign in Antwerp, Belgium. DS Emer Berry (Angeline Ball) travels to Antwerp, where she meets Christian de Jong (Wouter Hendrickx) of the anti-terrorism squad. The pair must work together to wade through a dangerous international conspiracy.
Though this series is filmed in Ireland, the production is multinational, originating from Belgium, as well as Ireland and Canada. Watch all six episodes now on Acorn TV!
Van der Valk
This series is a bit of a bonus feature, as it's neither produced nor filmed in a Dutch country. But though it hails from the UK, the series is set in Amsterdam! Dutch detective Commmissaris Piet Van der Valk (Marc Warren) is the head of a team that investigates high-profile crimes. Van der Valk gets his edge from his keen insight and sharp street smarts.
Find all nine episodes on Amazon Prime Video with a PBS Masterpiece subscription!
