Continuing on the 2021 film, which in turn, was the prequel to the Belgian-Dutch series Undercover, Ferry: the Series now delves into the titular mob boss’ start of his ecstasy empire. While the drug lord was suitably menacing in Undercover, Bouman in his beginnings is broke, trying to create bigger deals that would allow him to continue sustaining his small-scale drug pushing, and personally bumping with the cops in some botched buyings. As the future kingpin deals with day-to-day mishaps, there’s an old-school, lightly comedic tone as Bouman tries to gain the same respect he’ll get in Undercover. It makes for a goofier and less serious side on the all-too-familiar organized crime plotlines, and makes it a fun series to watch.

When imagining the criminal underworld, films and TV have mostly portrayed them as cool, powerful, and downright menacing. Undercover even portrays Ferry Bouman this way, though it balances his big-time reputation with the personal side the undercover agents try to exploit. Ferry: the Series, however, portrays Bouman and his crew as fairly competent, at least competent enough to pull off some schemes, but still relying heavily on dumb luck and the speed of their feet. It feels less menacing, sure, but knowing that they eventually become successful makes it feel funny. The show recognizes this, and leans into it with a playful guitar soundtrack, slightly dumb yet effective techniques, and lower scale threatening that doesn’t match up to the real thing (yet). Even drug kingpins have to start somewhere, it seems, and Ferry: the Series makes it fun following him.