ZDF Studios has taken on worldwide distribution for the new Dutch period drama Grand Hotel by the Sea.
The eight-part romantic period series marks the first romantic costume drama produced in the Netherlands. Set between 1912 and 1919, the story unfolds at a grand seaside hotel in Noordwijk, located on the North Sea coast. The show was created by producer and showrunner Fleur Winters. It is written by Astrid van Keulen and directed by Aniëlle Webster.
Grand Hotel by the Sea is produced by Amsterdam-based Big Blue in co-production with Dutch broadcaster KRO-NCRV and Belgian broadcaster VRT. It is scheduled to premiere in late 2026.
Multi-award-winning actress Thekla Reuten stars as Sandra, a woman who inherits the luxury hotel following her husband’s death and sets out to transform it into a premier destination for Europe’s elite. The ensemble cast also includes Joes Brauers, Florence Vos Weeda, and Mustafa Duygulu.
Blending lavish costumes, detailed production design, romance and intrigue, the series explores themes of social transformation, female empowerment and independence.
ZDF Studios emphasized that the show’s cinematic quality and universal storytelling are expected to resonate strongly with international audiences.
