Format

NPO and Disney+ have sealed a new partnership for the Dutch adaptation of the successful international format Wolven: het spel van list en bedrog, marking a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the Dutch public broadcaster and the streaming platform. The series will premiere on 29 August, airing on BNNVARA on NPO 1 and simultaneously streaming on NPO Start and Disney+, with weekly episodes.

Lucien Brouwer, member of the NPO Board of Directors, said: “We are taking an important step in how we, as a public broadcaster, want to collaborate with commercial media partners. Disney is a well-established name, with stories we all grew up with, just as is the case with the rich programming of the public broadcaster. That is precisely why we strongly believe in this collaboration, to reach even more people in the Netherlands with our programmes. That remains an important social mission. Wolven brings generations together and allows audiences to enjoy a shared experience of game, tension and unexpected twists. That connecting character, bringing young and old together around one programme, fits perfectly with our role.”
Karl Holmes, General Manager, Disney+ EMEA, added: “Wolven promises to be a fantastic show, full of intrigue that constantly keeps viewers guessing. It is the kind of programme you want to watch together, and we are delighted to bring this show to Disney+ viewers in the Netherlands. Together with NPO we can help outstanding local shows reach a new and younger audience, while offering our customers more local stories to enjoy.”
Justine Huffmeijer, Managing Director at SimpelZodiak, said: “Wolven to the Netherlands with NPO, and a first agreement of its kind with Disney+, represents an important opportunity. This format delivers an exciting, immersive viewing experience that will appeal to Dutch audiences, and producing from the established hub in France allows us to fully realise its cinematic scale.”

Wolven is a suspense-driven family entertainment format centred on trust, strategy and deception. Set in a remote forest village, a group of contestants known as the Villagers compete for a cash prize. However, hidden among them are the Wolves, a secret group tasked with eliminating players one by one while attempting to secure the winnings for themselves. As tensions rise and suspicion grows, the central question remains: will the Villagers uncover the Wolves in time? With this Dutch adaptation, the hit format enters a new chapter within Disney+’s broader European strategy, which involves close collaboration with free-to-air broadcasters across multiple territories. Partners include Atresmedia and RTVE in Spain, ITVX in the United Kingdom, Rai in Italy, ARD and ZDF in Germany, and SIC in Portugal, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening and supporting local storytelling. Wolven is the Dutch adaptation of the internationally successful format created by Dreamspark, which has already run for three seasons in France, followed by Germany.