Famke Janssen Is Rewriting the Rules of Reinvention

Famke Janssen has built a career defined by evolution. From fashion runways and Hollywood franchises to creativity behind the camera, the Hollywood icon consistently leads with curiosity. With Netflix’s Amsterdam Empire, Janssen steps into her most expansive role yet—starring, executive producing, designing costumes and even performing music—proving reinvention isn’t a phase, but a lifelong practice.

Set in the heart of Europe’s criminal underworld, the show explores the rise of a global cannabis syndicate. Janssen stars as Betty, a former one-hit wonder whose ’90s anthem, “Forever Pour Toujours,” still shapes her public identity. When Betty discovers her husband’s infidelity, the betrayal ignites a very public divorce battle, followed by a high-stakes fight for control.

While the story delivers intrigue and spectacle, Janssen, who also serves as an executive producer, was determined to give Betty depth beyond revenge. “It’s fun to watch,” she says. “But at some point, you have to have empathy for her. I fought for that.”

From the Netherlands to New York

When Janssen left her home in the Netherlands at just 18, it took a leap of faith. She began her career as a model, working with iconic houses, including Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani and Chanel, which were all experiences that ultimately brought her to the United States.

When she first arrived to New York in her early 20s, she says the city “felt overwhelming.” Influenced by films and television, she admits she was initially afraid to even leave her hotel room. “I thought it was going to be like the movies, and I was really scared to leave,” she recalls. Once she stepped outside, the city revealed something else entirely—a raw energy that would become home.

The cultural adjustment was just as striking. In contrast to the more reserved Dutch approach, she found American openness confusing. “When people said, ‘Let’s have dinner,’ I thought it was literal,” she says with a laugh. Over time, she learned to navigate those differences, eventually embracing the city’s directness, spontaneity and openness.

Now based in New York, Janssen credits the city with shaping her. “I just start talking to people now,” she says. “That’s something I learned from being a New Yorker.”

An Iconic Career, Still Expanding

With a filmography that spans some very recognizable roles, Janssen broke out globally as the lethal and unforgettable Xenia Onatopp in GoldenEye, before bringing emotional nuance to Jean Grey/Phoenix in the X-Men franchise. She later anchored the commercially successful Taken films as Lenore Mills.

Her career continues to evolve with roles in films such as Boy Kills World, The Postcard Killings and Hansel & Gretel. On television, she has delivered acclaimed performances in Nip/Tuck, How to Get Away With Murder, Hemlock Grove and The Blacklist: Redemption—each role reinforcing her ability to balance strength with vulnerability.

Fashion as Storytelling

Fashion has always been part of Janssen’s language. A Columbia University graduate and polyglot fluent in English, Dutch, French and German, she approaches character-building with both intellectual precision and visual instinct.

For Amsterdam Empire, she found herself naturally stepping into the role of costume designer. Betty’s wardrobe is bold, colorful and unapologetically expressive, reflecting her past in the music industry and her refusal to fade quietly. “She’s childlike,” says Janssen. “She hangs on to her past from the ’90s. I wanted that reflected in the clothing.”

Janssen stitched details herself, curated looks scene by scene and worked closely with her team to bring her vision to life. “I knew exactly who she was,” she says. “It didn’t feel difficult…it felt right.”

Serving as an executive producer allowed her to shape more than just her character. Returning to work in the Netherlands after decades abroad highlighted the importance of representation and diversity both in front of and behind the camera. “It felt like the right moment to bring awareness,” she says. “There are women behind the camera, and diversity matters in every aspect.”

A Reclaimed ’90s Fantasy

One of the most joyful surprises of Amsterdam Empire is its music video, in which Janssen stars, sings and dances. Trained by acclaimed choreographer Vincent Vianen, she embraced the challenge fully, even playing a younger version of herself onscreen.

The result is a fully ’90s-coded moment via bold costumes, nostalgic sound and playful confidence intact. “You can’t fake dancing,” she says. “You have to do the work. But I guess that goes for everything.”