ZDF Studios takes on worldwide distribution of new Dutch romantic period drama Grand Hotel by the Sea
Mainz, 19 February 2026
ZDF Studios will be in charge of the worldwide distribution of Grand Hotel by the Sea, the first romantic period drama produced in the Netherlands. The eight-part series was created by producer and showrunner Fleur Winters (THE CRASH, This is gonna be great, the Emmy nominated vampire series Heirs of the night, Rose d’Or winner Dome 16), written by Astrid van Keulen (Knokke Off, The Club) and directed by Aniëlle Webster (Swanen- burg, Nemesis, What is Love?). It is currently being produced by Amsterdam-based production company Big Blue in co‑production with Dutch broadcaster KRO‑NCRV and Belgian broadcaster VRT, and is due to premiere at the end of 2026.
Set between 1912 and 1919 against the stunning backdrop of a grand seaside hotel on the North Sea coast in Noordwijk, Grand Hotel by the Sea (Grand Hotel aan Zee in Dutch) follows the ambitious Sandra, played by multi-award winning actress Thekla Reuten (Narcosis, Warrior Nun, In Bruges, The American), who inherits the luxury seaside hotel from her late husband. Determined to transform it into a premier destination for Europe’s elite, she faces both societal limitations and personal challenges as a woman in the early 20th century. As the hotel transforms, so too do the futures of the women connected to it. Together, they learn that the world is slowly beginning to give them space to decide, to choose, and maybe even to forge their own destinies.
The ensemble cast also includes Golden Calf Award nominee Joes Brauers (Do Not Hesitate, Hardcore Never Dies) as Sandra’s eldest son and heir, Florence Vos Weeda (De slet van 6vwo) as the determined maid Kathelijne, and Mustafa Duygulu (Arcadia, Nemesis) as Dr. Kessels, the hotel’s trusted physician and confidant.
Combining sumptuous costumes, intricate sets, romance, intrigue, and timeless themes of ambition, independence, and love, the series paints a vivid portrait of a society in transformation through the intersecting lives of hotel guests, staff, and villagers during a turbulent era.
Tim Gerhartz, Chief Commercial Officer, ZDF Studios: “We are thrilled to partner with Big Blue on this outstanding and ambitious series. *Grand Hotel by the Sea* offers everything international audiences love: a richly detailed world, compelling characters, and a sweeping emotional narrative set during a fascinating period of European history. The series delivers both cinematic quality and heartfelt storytelling, and we are proud to bring it to viewers worldwide.”
Fleur Winters, CEO & Producer Big Blue: “From the very beginning, we envisioned *Grand Hotel by the Sea* as a series that resonates far beyond the Netherlands. We are extremely proud that the collaboration with the esteemed ZDF Studios allows us to share this heartfelt, visually stunning story with a global audience. Moreover, we are excited to collaborate with a partner that truly understands the scale, ambition, and emotional depth of the series.”
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About ZDF Studios
ZDF Studios is a commercial subsidiary of ZDF, one of the largest TV broadcasters in Europe. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Mainz, Germany, the ZDF Studios Group operates more than 30 direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates spanning TV production, distribution and services. The parent company, ZDF Studios, is responsible for global programme distribution, realisation of international co-productions, acquisition of licences and merchandising of successful programme brands under its own name, for ZDF and third parties. ZDF Studios has the largest German-language programme inventory in the world and a constantly growing range of international productions, consisting of series and mini-series, television films, documentaries and children's programmes.
The companies of the ZDF Studios Group cover the entire value chain from the development of scripted and unscripted TV content to production, marketing and monetizing, including TV and streaming licences as well as merchandising and online rights. The positioning of ZDF Studios as an integrated media company enables the development of innovative, outstanding and high-quality programmes and makes the Group an attractive workplace for German and international talent to flourish in a very inspiring and creative environment.
Contact ZDF Studios
Christine Denilauler (VP Marketing and Corporate Communications), ZDF Studios GmbH, Erich-Dombrowski-Str. 1, D-55127 Mainz/Germany, Tel.: +49 6131-9911130, E-mail: christine.denilauler@zdf-studios.com, www.zdf-studios.com