Famke Janssen Is Rewriting the Rules of Reinvention

Famke Janssen Is Rewriting the Rules of Reinvention She stepping into a new era. Liz Ritter Published: Feb 19, 2026 NETFLIX This article first appeared in the Winter 2026 issue of NewBeauty. Click here to subscribe 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 stri...