Ferry: The Series

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.

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.

In my humble opinion, 'Ferry the Series' has left me somewhat underwhelmed, and I occasionally find myself feeling bored while watching it. The quality of acting is certainly commendable, but the overall execution falls short of my expectations.

One of my primary reservations about the series is the lack of depth in exploring Ferry's backstory. I had hoped for a more profound dive into his life, particularly his early experiences and the events that shaped his character. Instead, the storyline felt all too familiar, resembling that of the original 'Undercover' series. This lack of innovation and differentiation from the parent series left me somewhat disheartened.

The storytelling, in my opinion, lacks the compelling elements that draw viewers in and keep them engaged. It's as if the plot follows a formulaic pattern, making it predictable and less exciting. The absence of unexpected twists and turns further contributes to the feeling of disappointment. I had anticipated a more intricate narrative that would not only shed light on Ferry's character but also present a unique and captivating plot line.

As I continue to watch the series, I find moments of boredom creeping in. This is not to say that there aren't moments of intensity and drama, but the overall pacing and execution sometimes fail to maintain my interest. It's as if the series has fallen into a pattern of predictability, and this repetition can be a drawback for viewers seeking fresh and engaging content.

Moreover, I can't help but feel that 'Ferry the Series' may have exhausted the potential of its storyline. It seems like the creators might have stretched the narrative to its limits, and I'm left wondering if there's much more to explore in this world. It's essential for a series to evolve and introduce new elements to keep its audience engaged, and 'Ferry' might have reached a point where it's challenging to introduce such novelty.

In summary, 'Ferry the Series' appears to have garnered mixed reviews, and I find myself among those who were left wanting more. The series boasts commendable acting and occasional moments of intensity, but it falls short in terms of innovation and a compelling narrative. I had hoped for a deeper exploration of Ferry's character and a more distinct storyline. As it stands, the series feels somewhat derivative of the original 'Undercover' and could benefit from injecting new life into the narrative to keep viewers excited. It remains to be seen whether the creators will take a more ambitious approach in future seasons, but for now, I'm cautiously optimistic about the direction of the series.

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!

If you like the prior show/movie, you'll enjoy this. Has the same look, feel, and enjoyable plot. It's not too riveting, not too predictable, not super intellectual, but is simple fun to watch. My only criticism, which I think exists in the prior stories, is how stupid almost all of the primary characters seem most of the time... terrible decision making, tons of impulse behavior, lots of repeat mistakes with zero learning, and lots of taking things at face/surface level... which seems to be the main engine behind the drama of the show as poor decision making and lack of control create problems.