Marwan Kenzari and Rianne van Rompaey
Netflix is expanding its library of Dutch originals with a major new psychological thriller, The Silence (known locally as De Stilte). The series hails from the creative mind behind Undercover, Nico Moolenaar, and features a star-studded cast led by Hollywood actor Marwan Kenzari and top model Rianne van Rompaey.
Continuing one of their most successful European partnerships, Netflix has re-teamed with creator Nico Moolenaar for this latest project. Moolenaar, who holds a multi-year deal with the streamer, is best known to Netflix subscribers worldwide for creating the smash-hit crime series Undercover and the spin-off film Ferry. They were also behind Amsterdam Empire for Netflix in 2025.
Filming begins on the project next month, we’re told, with the series set to be five episodes in total.
What is the plot of The Silence?
The series is a psychological thriller centered on themes of trust and hidden truths. It is based on the novel The Quiet Girl by S.F. Kosa.
The story kicks off when successful writer Sara Post vanishes without a trace. Her husband, Tarik, becomes entangled in a dangerous search that forces him to confront her concealed past. His journey brings him into contact with a closed community where silence is valued above the truth.
Creator Nico Moolenaar shared his excitement about the genre direction of the show:
“With ‘The Silence’ I am making the most pure thriller of my career. I have never been so enthusiastic about a project. To be able to continue my collaboration with Netflix with a series that is so intense and suspenseful feels like a privilege.”
Who is in the cast?
Leading the cast is Marwan Kenzari, known to international audiences for his roles as Jafar in Disney’s Aladdin and in the Netflix action hit The Old Guard.
Starring opposite him is Rianne van Rompaey. While Van Rompaey is an internationally renowned top model, The Silence marks her Dutch acting debut.
Regarding her role, Van Rompaey said:
“Making my Netflix debut with ‘The Silence’ feels like a special step. What immediately attracted me was the complexity of the script, and how it dares to address difficult subjects. The psychology of my character Sara and the way she deals with the past, present, and future moves me. She doesn’t show everything, and precisely that tension—between what you share and what you keep hidden—makes her very interesting to play.”
Marwan Kenzari added:
“A man searches for his wife. A staggering discovery leaves Tarik completely in the dark. I was immediately attracted to the nightmarish quality of this story.”
The series also features an impressive supporting cast of established Dutch talent, including:
- Marwan Kenzari (The Old Guard, What Happened to Monday, Aladdin)
- Rianne van Rompaey
- Rifka Lodeizen (Undercover, Modern Love Amsterdam, Judas)
- Juliëtte van Ardenne (Ferry: The Series, Smeris)
- Anniek Pheifer (Captain Nova, Mocro Maffia)
- Hans Kesting (Ares, Do Not Hesitate)
- Jochum ten Haaf (The Resistance Banker, Dunkirk)
- Renée Soutendijk (Suspiria, The Fourth Man)
- Lukas Dijkema (Undercover, Ferry)
- Katrien van Beurden (Lieve Mama)
- Livia Schoemacher
- Tenzing Woing
- Max Weisscher
Behind the Scenes
The series is created by Nico Moolenaar, who wrote the screenplay alongside Pieter De Graeve.
Directing duties are in the hands of Max Porcelijn. The series is produced by Maarten Swart and Nico Moolenaar on behalf of Kaap Holland Film in collaboration with Red Herring.
When will The Silence be released on Netflix?
Netflix has not yet announced a release date for The Silence. Given the production timeline, we are likely looking at a 2027 release.
For more on Netflix’s upcoming Dutch slate of new series and movies, keep it locked here on What’s on Netflix.
