Amsterdam Empire cast and character guide: Who plays whom in Netflix's latest Dutch crime drama?

Netflix recently premiered its new show Amsterdam Empire on 31st October, 2025. It is a Dutch crime drama that follows Betty Jonkers, once Amsterdam's glamorous pop star, who left her career and fame to marry the owner of a cannabis coffee shop empire, Jack van Doorn. The high-profile marriage soon struggles when Jack's affair with a journalist, Morjolein, comes to the surface.

This led to some furious confrontation between the couple, and soon Jack reveals he is in love with Morjolein and would want a divorce. Betty then decides to rip apart Jack's life using her knowledge of his shady businesses and its secrets. The show comes with an exceptional list of cast members, and their power-packed performances make the show a worthwhile watch. Here is the full cast and character guide to Amsterdam Empire.

Amsterdam Empire cast and character guide: Who plays whom in the latest Dutch drama explored

Famke Janssen as Betty Jonkers

Betty plays the former pop star, deeply wounded by her husband's betrayal. After years of being overshadowed by her husband's cannabis empire, she discovers his affair with a journalist, Morjolein. When Jack reveals that he wants a divorce from her, she smashes the window of her husband's expensive car. This becomes her breaking point after which Betty decides to destroy him piece by piece.

Amsterdam Empire will be Famke Janssen's first Dutch-language show in decades, and for the first time, she is returning to Dutch TV after her Hollywood career. She is also the co-producer of the show and has earlier been seen in X-Men, Taken and Hemlock Grove.

Jacob Derwig as Jack van Doorn

Jack is Betty's husband, who is a self-made entrepreneur building the cannabis empire named The Jackal. He thrives on control and eventually falls in love with a journalist, upsetting his wife. His wife, who also possesses all of his secrets about the shady empire, takes revenge. Jack's empire begins to crash as his affair comes to light while his image is shattered and replaced with criminal entanglements and a chaotic life.

Jacob Derwig is one of the Netherlands’ most acclaimed actors. He has also won a Golden Calf, which is considered the Dutch equivalent of an Oscar. He shared credits in The Resistance Banker and The Judgement.

Elise Schaap as Marjolein Hofman

Elise Schaap plays the ambitious journalist Marjolein with whom Jack had an affair and fell in love. She is the reason behind the conflict between he couple, which drives the show. She is smart and aware of the moral tightrope she is walking on. She doesn't embody the stereotypical home breaker personality, but chases power alongside Jack. When Betty exposes their affair, Marjolein becomes a target of both media scrutiny and Betty’s wrath.

Elise Schaap is again a renowned face in television in the Netherlands' and has previously appeared in Undercover and Ferry.

Jade Olieberg as Katja van Doorn

Katja is Jack’s daughter from a previous relationship. She is portrayed as a restless young woman who doesn't want to be involved in her father's business but is often dragged into it. When Betty and Jack's relationship strains, it affects Katja. She starts to see through her father's manipulation while her bond with Betty is damaged. She desires a new start for herself, but is surrounded by the chaos of the Dutch underworld.

Jade, who plays Katja in Amsterdam Empire, has been seen before in the horror series Ares. Known for playing complex characters, she has also appeared in The East and Hacked.

Bart Slegers as Gijs Tichelaar

Gijs is Jack’s long-time business partner and enforcer. He is the man who knows every deep secret of his shady empire. He has seen Amsterdam evolve and understands every curve of the city. He is more loyal to money and profit than most people, and eventually, when Betty begins to dismantle it, he becomes the protector of the empire. His loyalty, like the city’s underworld, comes at a price.

Wondering where you have seen Bart Slegers before. He is literally the powerhouse of Dutch cinema and theatre, known for his award-winning role in Son of Mine, before appearing on Amsterdam Empire.