The Best TV Shows on VARA

Every VARA Show Ranked From Best To Worst

Across the timeline from 1971 to 2017, VARA has presented audiences with over 20 captivating shows. For top-tier entertainment, VARA delivered 2 voor 12 and Zeg 'ns Aaa in 1971 and 1981. Dive into our updated selection of VARA’s finest, featuring more than 20 series as of May 2026.

  • Hoe Duur Was De Suiker
    Hoe Duur Was De Suiker (2014)10.0

  • Zembla
    Zembla (1995)9.3

    Zembla is a Dutch television documentary programme by VARA and NPS. The documentaries are based on in-depth research which can take months. The subjects are often controversial. A documentary in 2001 about fraud in the Dutch construction sector led to parliamentary inquiries. In May 2006 the programme exposed the fact that politician Ayaan Hirsi Ali had lied in her claim for asylum, which led to her resignation from parliament.

  • Unit 13
    Unit 13 (1996)8.7

  • Kats & Co
    Kats & Co (1994)8.5

  • Vuurzee
    Vuurzee (2005)8.5

    Dutch psychological thriller. The story is set in the fictional North Holland (Netherlands) resort of Boedzand. It is April 28. The Aslan family is busy preparing a large party at the Lido, the beach pavilion that they operate. Father Osman is celebrating his 50th birthday. During the evening party, daughter Yasmin disappears. Yasmin's disappearance and the question of where she is and what happened to her has been the common thread throughout the series. The village of Boedzand is completely upside down: all sorts of people are suspected of being involved, relationships are at stake and sooner or later the deepest secrets of the characters are revealed. What happened to Yasmin? Description above is a translated excerpt from Wikipedia (nl), the free encyclopedia, licensed by CC BY-SA. Contributors list on Wikipedia (nl) Vuurzee.

  • Amsterdam Paradise
    Amsterdam Paradise (2011)8.3

    In Amsterdam Paradise we're witnessing the development of the relationship between Adam and Eva and see how it’s continually influenced and affected by dozens of other stories set in the city. Amsterdam Paradise is a shimmering mosaic narrative of the city, life and love.

  • Kinderen geen bezwaar
    Kinderen geen bezwaar (2004)8.2

    Kinderen geen bezwaar is a Dutch comedy series which takes place in ' normal' Dutch family. The series mainly revolves about what happens in the family. Seven years ago Gerard and Maud learned to know each other by means of a contact advertisement. Gerard is approximately 12 years older than Maud. They got married not long after they met. He cooks, brushes and does the laundry, in fact everything in house and Maud works as psychotherapist with practice at their home. Maud has a daughter Julia from her first marriage. Julia is adored Gerard's son Daan, from his 'previous' life. Daan always tries everything to get Julia, but he succeeds seldom.

  • Dutch Hope
    Dutch Hope (2014)8.1

    Forensic psychiatrist Fokke Augustinus makes an unexpected career change when he inherits his father's mansion in Groningen where he becomes involved with a criminal organization with a marijuana plantation on his father's land.

  • Laat maar zitten
    Laat maar zitten (1988)8.0

  • For better and for worse
    For better and for worse (1991)8.0

  • Shouf Shouf!
    Shouf Shouf! (2006)7.7

  • Jeuk
    Jeuk (2014)7.7

  • Bureau Kruislaan
    Bureau Kruislaan (1992)7.3

  • Zeg 'ns Aaa
    Zeg 'ns Aaa (1981)6.3

    Zeg 'ns Aaa was one of the longest running and most popular Dutch sitcoms, situated in the medical practice of a female general practitioner and revolves around herself, her family and her housekeeper. The title refers to the imperative phrase Say Aah, often said by doctors when they want to inspect the mouth cavity of a patient.

  • The Blood Pact
    The Blood Pact (2017)6.2

    A man who works for the tax authorities ends up becoming friends with a dangerous criminal after their daughters become best friends and he accidentally saves his life

  • The Adulterer
    The Adulterer (2011)6.0

    After a photographer and a lawyer start a steamy affair, their lives and those around them get entangled in dirty business and family secrets.

  • De Wereld Draait Door
    De Wereld Draait Door (2005)5.1

    Talk show hosted by Matthijs van Nieuwkerk containing a mixture of news, information, television bloopers and general entertainment.

  • Pauw & Witteman
    Pauw & Witteman (2006)5.0

    Pauw & Witteman is a Dutch late-night talk show, hosted by Jeroen Pauw en Paul Witteman. It is generally focused on current affairs and politics. It is broadcast every weekday at 11 pm on Nederland 1. It is produced by Dutch public broadcasters NPS and VARA. During summer Pauw & Witteman are replaced by Knevel & Van de Brink, a talk show hosted by Andries Knevel and Thijs van den Brink, produced by the dutch evangelical broadcasting company, the EO.

  • 2 voor 12
    2 voor 12 (1971)N/A

  • The Quiz
    The Quiz (2013)N/A

    De Kwis is a dutch comedy game show that discusses and highlights the news of the week with a famous dutch person as the quiz candidate