ZDF Studios Takes On Grand Hotel by the Sea

ZDF Studios has taken on worldwide distribution of the new Dutch period drama Grand Hotel by the Sea.

Created by producer and showrunner Fleur Winters (THE CRASH, Heirs of the Night), the eight-part series is set between 1912 and 1919 and follows an ambitious woman who inherits a luxury seaside hotel from her late husband. She faces societal limitations and personal challenges as a woman in the early 20th century as she tries to transform it into a premier destination for the elite.

Thekla Reuten (Narcosis, Warrior Nun, In Bruges, The American) stars in the lead role. The ensemble cast also includes Joes Brauers (Do Not Hesitate, Hardcore Never Dies), Florence Vos Weeda (De slet van 6vwo) and Mustafa Duygulu (Arcadia, Nemesis).

Grand Hotel by the Sea is currently being produced by Big Blue, in co-production with Dutch broadcaster KRO-NCRV and Belgian broadcaster VRT. It is due to premiere at the end of 2026.

The series is written by Astrid van Keulen (Knokke Off, The Club) and directed by Aniëlle Webster (Swanen- burg, Nemesis, What is Love?).

“We are thrilled to partner with Big Blue on this outstanding and ambitious series,” said Tim Gerhartz, chief commercial officer at ZDF Studios. “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 and producer at Big Blue, added, “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.”