Home / Arts and Entertainment / Grand Hotel: A New Era of Female Power
Grand Hotel: A New Era of Female Power
19 Feb
Summary
- A female-led period drama set in a seaside hotel.
- The series follows a woman inheriting a hotel in 1912.
- It explores changing women's roles amidst historical shifts.
"Grand Hotel by the Sea," an eight-part Dutch period drama, is preparing for a major launch at the end of 2026. This female-led series, co-produced by Winters' prodco Big Blue with KRO‑NCRV and VRT, features Astrid van Keulen as writer and Aniëlle Webster as director.
The narrative unfolds between 1912 and 1919, focusing on Sandra, played by Thekla Reuten, who inherits a grand seaside hotel. She faces challenges in transforming it into an elite destination during a time of societal change for women.
Showrunner Winters was inspired by shows like "Downton Abbey" and "Shondaland" to use the genre for impactful storytelling. The hotel setting provides a rich backdrop for characters and explores the shifting roles of women, including those working in the hotel and the concurrent suffrage movements.
Production involved constructing a large studio set for the hotel, maximizing its use for approximately 60% of the script. Exterior shots capture the seafront and village, contributing to the sweeping visuals of this period piece.
ZDF Studios is presenting "Grand Hotel by the Sea" to global buyers, anticipating strong international interest due to its detailed world, compelling characters, and emotional narrative set in a significant historical era.
