What is noticeable this year were the series based on historical events. You can see three of these in the list: Rampvlucht, Het Jaar van Fortuyn, and Dirty Lines. In addition, mainly series that have multiple seasons have been nominated.
Below, in alphabetical order, are the top ten nominees for best Dutch/Flemish series from 2022;
Chantal
First we start with the Flemish series Chantal. Anyone who has seen Eigen Kweek already knew her; Chantal Vantomme, that policewoman who was friends with the Welvaert family. A spin-off was almost inevitable and luckily Chantal is at least as witty. In this series, she has moved and started working as a coordinator of the Loveringem district commissariat. The story is about the murder of Daisy III, "the Miss Belgium of the poodles", where Chantal skilfully meanders between the sexist language, short-sightedness, and laziness of her colleagues. Will you vote for this wonderfully funny and absurd series?
Dirty Lines
Dirty Lines is a genuine Dutch series in the field of drugs and sex, but fortunately, a cast with fresh faces has been chosen. Although we also see the protagonist Joy Delima in Disaster Flight, later in this list. This well-received series tells the story of the emergence of the first sex phone lines in the 1980s. Two brothers run the phone lines. The big money pours in but was also immediately spent on expensive offices, crazy parties, a lot of drugs and a lot of women.
Flikken Maastricht
Flikken Maastricht (Cops Maastricht) is the longest-running series on this list. You could say Eva and Wolfs still going strong. This season has a new team chief, Donna Martina. The sixteenth season of the very first Flikken does not, of course, match the level of the first seasons, but this season does have all the factors to make it a good season. Tygo Gernandt (Eddie) and Joy Wielkens (Donna) are ingredients that do well this season: natural superiority over the two protagonists. For the time being we like the direction, although we are going back to the well-known structure "one case every week".
Het gouden uur
On October 23, 2022, this crime series premiered with a double episode. Please note: this series contains shocking images.' Such a disclaimer is certainly not unique, but we don't see it very often in Dutch series. But the approach of the six-part thriller series Het Gouden Uur (The Golden Hour) is indeed quite intense. The title refers to a term in the protocols that come into effect during a "national calamity," such as a terrorist attack. The attack is 'just' a scene in this exciting thriller series, which mainly revolves around detective Mardik (Nasrdin Dchar). I think many people have binged this series.
Het jaar van Fortuyn
Just like the previous two titles, Het Jaar van Fortuyn (The Year of Fortuyn) is a series by AVROTROS. On May 6, 2022, it was twenty years ago that Pim Fortuyn was murdered at the Mediapark in Hilversum, changing the Netherlands forever. The five-part drama series Het Jaar van Fortuyn deals with Fortuyn's political career, the murder, and the immediate aftermath. According to the Volkskrant (Dutch well-read paper), this series is one of the best Dutch series of recent years, but do you agree?
Mocro maffia
Just like last year, this crime series is back on the list. The fourth season will be broadcast on Videoland (Dutch streaming service) in 2022. There is a greater role for the women in the underworld in this season and the creators want to push through more storylines of individual characters. But you will still enjoy watching this series. Enough for a first place this year?
Oogappels
This series also had its fourth season in 2022. In Oogappels we follow the ups and downs of four different families. The fourth season is all about accepting, letting go and making adult choices. But what if that leads to the necessary struggle and old hurts come up. The series is so popular that BNNVARA is coming up with its own Christmas special.
Rampvlucht
Many series this year were about the past. After Dirty Lines and Het jaar van Fortuyn, KRONCRV came up with a drama series based on the Bijlmer disaster from 1992, which eventually won the Golden Calf (Dutch award). Rampvlucht (Disaster Flight) is a poignant five-part drama series about the Bijlmer disaster; a disaster that unfolded years after the cargo plane of the Israeli company El Al crashed in the middle of Amsterdam's Bijlmermeer. In all these series about recent historical periods, a mirror is held up to the current Netherlands; everything may have changed, but have we learned the historical lessons?
Twee Zomers
Two Summers is a Flemish thriller series that aired on One and can be seen on Netflix. An exciting story with six episodes. A group of friends gathers on a remote island to celebrate a birthday. That fun weekend quickly turns into a mess when rich Peter is blackmailed with a shocking video from thirty years ago. He is sure that the anonymous sender is one of his friends present, but who? The addictive series knows how to captivate until the last second. Did you also enjoy this summer series?
Undercover
Undercover has also been around for a while. For Netflix, this was always a successful series with Ferry (Frank Lammers) and Bob (Tom Waes) in the lead role. Season three was broadcast at the end of 2021, but was still allowed to participate in the 2022 election. The last season may not have been the best season. Is it still good enough for a grand prize?
These were all ten nominees nominated by the readers, the writers, and myself. If you still want to choose a different series, you can always use your wildcard. Good luck voting!
