The name "overspel" (adultery) may a bit misleading. It made me suspect that this was going to be some female-oriented cliché-ridden drama. Nothing could be further from the truth.

There are many characters here all of which are equally important. The plot revolves around their relations with each other. Couwenberg is boss of a construction business, then an accident happens that puts the relationships of everyone in the series under pressure. Step by step the plot moves forward and gets more intricate and intriguing every episode. Adultery is only a small part of the problems emerging for every person in this mess. The characters are completely real and believable six episodes in and not once have I been disturbed by a stupid cliché or unreal irrational actions by the characters. They act as any sane man or woman does in their situation.

With a plot so much based on characters, the acting has to be top-notch, and I'm delighted to say that it absolutely is. Rarely have I seen such strong performances from Dutch actors. Add in the brilliant directing and grim cinematography and you've got a series that gets more compelling with every scene. The 6th and latest episode was the absolute highpoint for me. It ended with a music compilation lasting many minutes on Deep Purple's Child in Time and was absolutely masterly executed. One of the best directed pieces I've ever seen.

Overspel is gripping, compelling, well written, wonderfully acted, even better directed, and fit for every single audience, even kids if they're into this sort of thing. Perhaps watching the full season with the entire family at Christmas is a perfect family bonding activity for many.

After having watched all twelve episodes of this Dutch television series, it is obvious to me that this series is one of the best Dutch television series of the last decade: well written, very good acting (espcially by Sylvia Hoeks and Kees Prins) and beautiful cinematography. In "Overspel" the storyline and the development of the characters are more important than fast action scenes. Even though "Overspel" can't reach the extremely high level of the Danish series "The Killing" (a.k.a. Forbrydelsen), I can very much recommend it. For non Dutch readers who have become curious and would like to watch it: the DVD-release has English subtitles.

Addition after watching season 2. Season 2 of Overspel is again of very high quality and the acting is, like in season 1, on a very high level. Especially Kees Prins and Ramsey Nasr are sublime as father and son Couwenberg. Of course Sylvia Hoeks plays her character Iris very convincing too. The tension in season 2 is increasing from episode 1 until the final episode 10. I will not go into further detail, but I've enjoyed every second of this season a lot. I'm looking forward to the 3rd season, which has been filmed already (if I'm well informed), or is in the process of being filmed. Can't wait!

One of the best I've ever seen. Fabulous story and casting. 10 Stars. I'd give it an 11 if I could. Haven't seen season 3.

Just been able to catch this in NZ. Great drama, great acting and complex story. Very stylish production and brilliant characters, every one a gem. Subtitles very eay to read and follow. After binge watching series 1 have to ration series 2 and 3 as I don't want it to finish. Definite recommend to fans of good European drama.

I really loved this series . I loved the story lines loved the cast nothing about this series I didn't love . The only thing I can say negative was why did they get rid of it after 3 seasons I have seen horrible shows that lasted 10 years or more . I wish the show could've lasted a few more seasons.

I found this series to be fascinatingly engaging on many levels.. I honestly didn't know from one moment to another what was next.. the acting was superb with a plot that is unique .. I liked getting to know these families and the individuals.. it's a great series where I found myself really bummed when it was over.. I felt like I really knew these people and all they'd been through! Don't miss it!

The Italian tv broadcasted the first two series in 2018, but I missed them and binge-watched the series online. I simply loved it: the plot, the characters which are extremely well depicted, every single footage was a masterpiece for the acting and directing. Frantic rhythm, compelling story which shakes your believes leading you to the last episode with constant plot twist. Every single episode was tense and intense. I sympathized with every single character and fell in love with every single scene. I am glad I run into the first episode randomly one late evening.

I really enjoyed it , some of the episode's dragged on a little, but the series and the script was good very good,

Great cast? Fedja van Huet, Kees Prins, Rifka Lodeizen...Check! Decent script? Check! It is good enough for the USA to make a remake of it so it is nothing to sneeze at. How ever, the best dutch series ever made in the same league was Pleidooi and 9Dagen van de Gier which are both hard to match. This is pretty good though. It has it all, Prins is phenomenal, Van Huet is the usual genuine for-real-guy and Nasr's part of sweet dufus with an edge. Nothing wrong with it. For 90% of the time it is a good watch. Sometimes, just sometimes, though Hoeks character Iris gets irritating with the custody situation and the nagging. I guess the adulterous relationship (which it is named after) gets kind of tedious. The reality of the court and the police investigations is superb. Just rarely there is a hint of Spijkerhoek quality twists (Yup I said it) Guns in court, overly hysterical teens and general tantrums with excessive swearing...Tsk tsk, gets old. Maybe I adjust my review after seeing season 2. Lets see. It's just not Pleidooi....

Not into subtitles but after seeing 5 minutes I was gripped then 4 episodes later I had to take a break 😱👍. Only seen the first series and now trying to find out how to see the rest. Anyone got any ideas??

In 'The Adulterer', a prosecutor's wife has an affair with a defence lawyer, who just happens to be representing a man her husband is currently prosecuting. The setup sounds cheesy, and is certainly contrived. The best thing about this drama is a credible portrayal of life within a family the foundation of whose wealth is organised crime, albeit on a relatively small scale (think corrupt family business rather than full-blown mafia). It's weakness is the one-dimensionality of many of its characters, particularly the smug prosecutor and his almost-perfect wife. Although some details of plot were nicely developed, I didn't really care how the romantic aspects of the drama worked out, or feel any of the sexual passion supposedly driving the story.

The rave reviews on here coerced me into sticking with this through five episodes, thinking that it must be my fault. But I perceived no chemistry whatsoever between the actors playing the adulterous couple;, who seemed to be going through the motions; the sexual scenes between them were colourless, evasive and tame; I found nothing interesting about the other characters and the enfolding plot, and I just gave up after trying rather than putting myself through another half dozen episodes of tedium. I guess tastes differ; this was not for me. I'm pleased for those who enjoyed it. And found it 'stunning'; it utterly failed to hold my attention.

Die Overspel is one of those under publicized, gripping multi-season sleepers which turn into obsessive binge watching. Silvia Hoeks and Fedja van Huet have more chemistry than a high school Intro to Chem class; they are magic together. The plot of the first two seasons is inspired, weaving the two lovers into the complex lives of a tough and criminal real estate developer, his own twisted family, and the Dutch police and criminal court systems with their own foibles and challenges.

This show was the number 1 series in Holland when Season 1 was released, and even 10+ years later remains a popular show even in the UK and US. Hoeks is luminous throughout, playing a talented photographer with significant anxiety in crowded situations. Some observers in this thread seem critical of her acting because she doesn't engage in lengthy, Shakespearean soliloquies as the series continues. In my book, this critique misses the mark; Hoeks' character is the most normal, pragmatic, loyal and parental in the show, and her acting in this regard is top notch. The Walter writers and producers leave all the posturing, proclamations and violence to the men, who are an intriguingly self-centered, ego inflated bunch containing moral and amoral flaws as well as specific virtues. 'Nuff said: this series is a true hit, and it's a shame that the series could not continue after two strong seasons and the final, forced episodes of Season 3. It will stay with you long after you finish the series.

Watched this on PBS/Walter Presents with English subtitles. In total this show runs around 30 hours. Actually an interesting approach to storytelling. Nothing is rushed but nothing feels completely out of place either. Yeah ultimately a bit of a silly story but, heck, we watched it all. Certainly worse ways to spend an evening. I'd say some solid acting by all. And Iris is just cute as a bunny.

Not a bad story. Pretty good weave of marriage problems, big scale crime and corruption, and justice. I was put off by the adulterers who were entirely self-centered and ginned up an obsessive love affair out of what could as well have been a month long one-night stand. I simply could not see what so compelled them about each other. They were not exactly a dynamic duo. Flat, generic love affair at the center of a rather entertaining narrative. Further, they were not sympathetic in their insistence on elevating physical attraction over marriage, and in the woman's case, a child, We did see an increasingly unlikeable side to their rejected spouses, but they did not seem to grow more interesting or insightful with experience, not as individuals, not as a couple. I can recommend the show as it gathers intensity and the plot starts unfolding, but not as a great watch overall.

... this series not working on a couple of levels, main one being lead-casting... deciding on Sylvia Hoeks' as a character that's a working photographer, devoted mother to a young son, wasn't a proper decision-choice... looking all-time more like the super-model she really is, she's just put on the wrong side of the camera-lens in this story... then attempting portraying her as a nice person, and good mother, again not making logic-sense, for along with another extremely selfish character (her-affair's-lover), she spontaneously-eagerly enters into a steamy sexual liaison with this married (two children) shady lawyer, who finds her absolutely irresistible (least that's believable, as she is alluringly-beautiful) if morally reprehensible given his family circumstances

... and so it goes in what appears absolutely no time, they've moved-out-abandoning their families, setting up their love-nest in her very attractive work-studio on-harbor-edge... throw in some family characters with their own tedious storylines, and you have Overspel (Adultery)... also, it all took far too long in thirty-plus-episodes, could-would-have been better in a third-fewer-shows

... then there's ending's final blow, for all-those anti-adultery-viewers (can't say why), but it's so really nasty how selfishness does all this harm to so many, and then gets-future-finalized in this fashion... ugh.

Tired of smart women who seem to be autistic and barely speak. No idea why this wasn't just 10 episodes. Worst parents ever. It's boring.