Famke Janssen Stars in Dutch Netflix Drama Amsterdam Empire

Netflix's new Dutch drama series Amsterdam Empire stars Famke Janssen in her first Dutch-language acting role, portraying Betty Jonkers, an ex-pop diva seeking revenge on her ex-husband by attempting to steal his cannabis coffee shop empire. Janssen, who also serves as an executive producer and co-designed her costumes, trained rigorously in singing and dancing to record and perform the show's catchy 1990s-inspired single "Forever Pour Toujours," which is available on major music platforms. The series explores themes of betrayal and ambition as Betty wreaks havoc in her ex-husband Jack's life, engaging in scheming and public manipulation to gain sympathy and control. Despite Janssen's committed performance and the show's promising premise, critical reception notes that Amsterdam Empire struggles with tonal inconsistencies, wavering between soap opera melodrama and crime thriller, which undermines emotional investment in the characters. Janssen expressed pride in the project, highlighting her involvement and the unique opportunity to return to her Dutch roots on screen. Overall, the series combines high drama with elements of revenge, set against the backdrop of the Dutch cannabis industry but falls short of fully realizing its potential.