Walt Disney streamer Disney+ and Dutch public broadcasting system NPO have unveiled a collaboration that may convey the Dutch adaptation of the unscripted strategy-driven actuality collection Wolven: het spel van checklist en bedro to the Netherlands. Internationally, the format is known as Werewolves.
Set in a distant forest village, the present sees a gaggle of strangers often called the Villagers compete to win a prize. Hidden amongst them are the Werewolves, a secret set plotting to remove gamers one after the other and steal the prize.
The format is a part of Banijay Leisure’s third-party portfolio. The corporate handles variations throughout its international manufacturing footprint, which incorporates the U.S., Australia and New Zealand, the U.Okay., Spain, Portugal, Italy, Nordics, the Netherlands, Israel, Mexico, Brazil and India.
“Marking a new way of working for the public broadcaster, the collaboration will see Wolven air from Aug. 29 on BNNVARA on NPO 1 and stream simultaneously on NPO Start and Disney+, with episodes streaming weekly,” the companions stated on Monday. Wolven is produced by Banijay Benelux’s label SimpelZodiak.
Beforehand, two seasons of the format aired in France, with a 3rd one coming quickly. The profitable program additionally debuted in Germany, in 2025, adopted by a second season there in 2026.
“The Netherlands is the latest market to adapt the hit series, which fits a broader European strategy in which Disney+ works closely with free-to-air broadcasters across Europe, from Atresmedia and RTVE in Spain, to ITVX in the United Kingdom, Rai in Italy, ARD and ZDF in Germany, and SIC in Portugal,” Disney stated. “This underscores a shared commitment to championing and supporting local storytelling.”
Stated Lucien Brouwer, member of the chief board of NPO: “With this collaboration, we are taking an important step in how we, as a public broadcaster, aim to work with commercial organizations. Disney is a household name, with stories that we have all grown up with. For that reason, we strongly believe in working together to reach even more people in the Netherlands with our content.”
Karl Holmes, normal supervisor of Disney+ EMEA, added: “Wolven promises to be a great show, with lots of intrigue that keeps you guessing. It’s the kind of show you want to watch together, and we’re delighted to be bringing it to Disney+ audiences in the Netherlands. Together with NPO, we can help great local shows find new and younger audiences, while giving our customers more local stories to enjoy.”
And Justine Huffmeijer, managing director at SimpelZodiak, stated: “Bringing Wolven to the Netherlands with NPO, and a first-of-its-kind deal with Disney+, is a significant opportunity. This format delivers a tense, immersive viewing experience set to engage Dutch audiences, and producing from the established hub in France allows us to fully realize its cinematic scale.”
Wolven is a format created by Fary and Panayotis Pascot, owned by Jaad Productions and Presque Prod, and co-produced with Canal+, which initially commissioned the collection in France.
The format is introduced by Pieter Derks and Soundos El Ahmadi and is represented worldwide by StudioCanal and Dreamspark.
Disney+ has been putting collaborations with public broadcasters throughout Europe, with Holmes telling an Enders convention in London final week: “We want Disney+ to be the best partner for the wider industry. That means using our exceptional reach and brand strength with younger audiences to deliver real value to the organisations we work with. What we offer free-to-air broadcast partners is the opportunity to extend the reach of their content. They get to bring their stories to our young audience, while Disney+ customers get to discover some of the biggest local stories.”
SimpelZodiak produces a variety of premium codecs for the native and worldwide market, together with long-running journey actuality format Expeditie Robinson (Survivor), Good Luck Guys and Soccer Island.
