In collaboration with production company Lemming Film, Dutch broadcaster VPRO is developing the six-part drama series King of the Red Light District, set to premiere on NPO Start in the 2027.
Drama series about Black Joop, ‘Red Light Empire’
AMSTERDAM – November 2025
In collaboration with production company Lemming Film, Dutch broadcaster VPRO is developing the six-part drama series King of the Red Light District, set to premiere on NPO Start in the 2027 season. The series tells the story of the rise and fall of Casa Rosso founder Maurits de Vries, better known as “Black Joop,” offering a unique perspective on Amsterdam’s Red Light District in the post-war decades. The actor who will portray Black Joop has not yet been announced.
About Red Light Empire
The series is based on the true story of Maurits de Vries, aka Black Joop. Viewers follow his journey from a young Holocaust survivor wandering the streets of Amsterdam to the head of a sex and gambling empire. He became the king of a colourful community that helped shape the Red Light District, but ultimately fell into ruin through hubris and paranoia.
The narrative traces the evolution of the district from the 1940s through the 1980s (sexually, demographically, and even musically) revealing how Amsterdam’s Red Light District grew into a world-renowned attraction. The story is not only historically significant but also highly topical today, as the city government has announced plans for a major restructuring of the area.
Director Tim Oliehoek:
“It feels like a great privilege, and truly a new step in my career, to be able to create this series. It’s a project I’ve been dreaming about since 2017; the fact that it’s finally happening, and with such a passionate team, still feels a little unreal. To me, this is the great untold story of the Netherlands, and I can’t wait to bring it to the public. Maurits de Vries, with both friends and foes, was instrumental in shaping the Red Light District as we know it today and his story offers a unique perspective on the making of post-war Dutch society.”
About the creators
Alongside director Tim Oliehoek (Het Geheime Dagboek van Hendrik Groen, De Zaak Menten), the writing team includes Michael Leendertse (Rampvlucht, Vliegende Hollanders) and Sarah Offringa (Bonnie & Clyde, All Stars & Zonen).
Initiator: Max Moszkowicz
Story Editors: Matthijs van der Veer, Marieke Mols
‘Red Light Empire’ is a co-production of VPRO and Lemming Film, with additional support from the NPO Fund.
