Le Mauvais Camp: La série

As Episode 1 pf "Ferry: The Series" (2023 co-production from Belgium and the Netherlands; 8 episodes ranging from 36 to 51 minutes) opens, Ferry is down on his luck trying to sell XTC pills, getting nowhere. On the other hand, things between Ferry and his girlfriend Daan are great, and at a part Ferry proposes to her... At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: the Ferry character was developed in the ultra-successful TV series "Underground", which ran for 3 seasons. Ferry was clearly THE breakout character, and a spin-off (and prequel) movie called "Ferry" was released in 2021. Now 2 years later we pick up where that prequel left off. The themes remain the same, with Ferry battling hard to become a player in the XTC pills manufacturing and distribution industry in the Belgian-Holland borderline region. None of what plays out in this series comes as a surprise. It's just that Frank Lammers (as Ferry) is again at the top of his game, I mean it feels like he has prepared his entire career to play this role. Even though I originally hail from Antwerp and speak/understand Dutch fluently, I nevertheless follow most of the band-and-forth conversation with the subtitles, as the Dutch and Flemish accents are heavy duty.

"Ferry: The Series" recently premiered on Netflix, and I watch the 8 episodes over a couple of evenings. If all goes to plan, I'm sure we'll be getting "Ferry: The Series 2" in a couple of years, and I'm already looking forward to it. If you likes "Underground" or "Ferry", or simply are in the mood for a top notch foreign drug crime drama, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

There are some parts in the serie that are questionable or somewhat predictable. And yes, the acting is not all great, I really expected more from for instance Tygo Gerbrandt. But Ferry was just phenomenal. The dark side of the drugscriminal was really frightening, and it created a scary but beautiful contrast against the love for Daantje. It was really good and convincing chemistry between the two lead actors. The plot is maybe a bit to straight forward, but the characters and the way they slowly slide deeper and deeper into the criminal underworld, and how it changes their characters, is really well played. A must see!

After the series Undercover and the movie Ferry this series is the third series/movie Netflix dedicates to the gangster Ferry (of course the series Undercover was not entirely centred around him) taking place between the first two.

This series maintains the quality of the first two. Hence, if you watched and liked the first two you will not be disappointed by this series.

The cinematography, design and acting are very good. But two things really stand out for me: first, in contrast to most Gangster/Drug stories taking place in the U. S. and/or South America this series (as well as its predecessors of course) takes place in Western Europe. Second, this series frequently tells background stories of main (supporting) characters, which makes the actions and emotions of these characters very comprehensible.

All in all a very good series!

I am glad the Flemish producers of the hit-show Undercover decided to deepen the most interesting storyline, that of drug kingpin Ferry. The first season of Undercover was the best, although the later seasons are pretty good too. You can't help but see the reminiscence to Breaking Bad though (Ferry is Walter, Daniëlle is Skyler, Lars is Jesse and John is Mike). Even the goonie friends of Dutch-Jesse are present. But as a Dutch saying goes, better stolen properly than made-up poorly :) In that sense it does a great job. The portrayal of the underground synthetic drug scene is a major problem down in the south here, and the acting is spot on. The character Ferry feels more fleshed out the longer Frank Lammers plays it, which can be weird since this show is set before the first season of Undercover. I just love Elise Schaap, in this part but she seems to be a really nice person too.

Casting for Lars is perfect too, before this I only knew Yannick van de Velde from the SUPER funny Rundfunk show and movie Jachterwachter.

The production seems on par with American standards, which should make this show more appealing abroad.

If you liked Breaking Bad, Top Boy or other drug related crime dramas, and you feel like having a look into the Dutch underworld, this is definitely for you.

Watch the movie Ferry first though, for background purposes. And watch it in Dutch with subtitles. Otherwise the sublteties will be lost in translation.

Very good series, if you don't know Ferry just don't miss it, you will not regret!, he is a very special man and he is not afraid of anything.

The choice of actors seems perfect to me. I love the actress Elise Schaap in her role as Ferry's partner, very authentic and realistic, and of course Frank Lammers as Ferry, simply wonderful!

The story is very well told and has many good exciting moments, and that touch of comedy that suits Ferry very well due to his personality.

I found it very exciting and not at all boring, even the ending left me satisfied.

It doesn't seem at all comparable to Latin American series, for example Narcos, and I can't stand comparing. It's a criminal story in Brabant, Holland, where the world of drugs is very present. Ferry is just unique!

Don't miss it! It has all the elements to have fun and enjoy, action, crime and funny moments.

I recommend you see it in the original version, in Dutch with subtitles. It is the only way to understand it better through intonation.