Medea (2005– )

Greek tragedy by Euripide moved to Dutch politics. Medea, the daughter of the chairman of the senate, falls madly in love with ambitious politician Jason. Together they plan a campaign to make Jason prime minister.

Stars:

Katja Schuurman, Thijs Römer, Tara Elders

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Katja Schuurman	...	Medea (6 episodes, 2005)
Thijs Römer	...	Jason (6 episodes, 2005)
Tara Elders	...	Anne (6 episodes, 2005)
Krijn ter Braak	...	Moyra (6 episodes, 2005)
Cas Enklaar	...	Middelink (6 episodes, 2005)
Jochum ten Haaf	...	Frederik (6 episodes, 2005)
Maarten Wansink	...	Jensma (6 episodes, 2005)
Marcel Hensema	...	Matthijs (6 episodes, 2005)
Eric van Sauers	...	Robin (6 episodes, 2005)
Dragan Bakema	...	Thomas (6 episodes, 2005)
Cees Geel	...	Bertje (6 episodes, 2005)
Astrid van Eck	...	Xandra (6 episodes, 2005)
Monic Hendrickx	...	de Vries (6 episodes, 2005)
Bata Miodrag Milojevic	...	Jason's Bodyguard (6 episodes, 2005)
Tom Jansen	...	Premier (6 episodes, 2005)
Georgina Verbaan	...	Vanessa (6 episodes, 2005)
Caro Lenssen	...	Rosita (6 episodes, 2005)
Roelant Radier	...	Ton Korsten (6 episodes, 2005)
Michel Sluysmans	...	Wubbe (6 episodes, 2005)
Maria Kraakman	...	Mijntje (6 episodes, 2005)
Jort Kelder	...	Himself (6 episodes, 2005)
Mike Reus	...	Chef Buitenland (6 episodes, 2005)
Tijn Docter	...	Chef Economie (6 episodes, 2005)
Mijs Heesen	...	Chef Binnenland (6 episodes, 2005)
Ids van der Krieken	...	Misdaadverslaggever (6 episodes, 2005)
Doesjka van Hoogdalem	...	Annie (6 episodes, 2005)
Kristen Denkers	...	Begrafenisondernemer (6 episodes, 2005)
Ingrid Willemse	...	Secretaresse Jason (6 episodes, 2005)
Femke Lakerveld	...	Voorlichter Nieuwspoort (6 episodes, 2005)
Ronald de Bruin	...	Journalist Nieuwspoort (6 episodes, 2005)
Cees Wijburg	...	Fortuynesk Minister (6 episodes, 2005)
Alix Adams	...	Minister (6 episodes, 2005)
Fred Emmer	...	Nieuwslezer (6 episodes, 2005)
Gwen Eckhaus	...	Gynaecoloog (6 episodes, 2005)
Giam Kwee	...	Vriendin Chef Economie (6 episodes, 2005)
Marc Scheepmaker	...	Cabaretier (6 episodes, 2005)
Jack Wouterse	...	Oldekamp (6 episodes, 2005)
Simon Zwiers	...	Vastgoedmakelaar (2 episodes, 2005)

Storyline

Greek tragedy by Euripide moved to Dutch politics. Medea, the daughter of the chairman of the senate, falls madly in love with ambitious politician Jason. Together they plan a campaign to make Jason prime minister.

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Plot Keywords:

tv mini series | character name in title

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Genres:

Thriller | Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

AVRO [nl] Official site [nl]

Country:

Netherlands

Language:

Dutch

Release Date:

8 January 2005 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

Mideia

Filming Locations:

's-Gravenhage, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

Company Credits

Production Co:

AVRO Television, Column Productions, Van Gogh Talent

Technical Specs

Runtime:

300 min 300 min (6 parts)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The AVRO who produced the series, was planning to make more adaptations of the Classical tragedies. But after the murder of the director, Theo van Gogh, no production of other projects begun.

User Reviews

Well-written, but it feels too distant and too artificial

I liked the concept of re-telling the story of Medea and Jason at the background of Dutch politics, so I had high expectations for this mini-series. Knowing that controversial director Theo van Gogh was murdered right after finishing this product, made it all the more interesting. So, I gave it a try.

When a renowned politician ( Krijn ter Braak ) is in a tight spot due to accusations of being part of a fraud with building companies, his daughter Medea ( Katja Schuurman )allies with businessman Jason( Thijs Romer) to help her father out. At first their relationship is just based on doing business, but it rapidly transforms into an amorous and passionate affair. Jason, being bored by his success in real estate, wants to use Medea as a leverage to gain the political power to become minister-president( PM )of Holland. By campaigning against the so called '' old politics '' he becomes more and more popular among the voters. But by gaining power he starts to become more estranged from his pregnant wife Medea, and their turbulent relation comes to a radical clash.

I had the entire time the feeling that something was missing. It felt a bit too distant and too artificial for my taste. I never had the idea that I was watching real people of flesh and blood. It didn't help that soap star Katja Schuurmans was in a lead role. She's gorgeous by having the beauty of a Greek goddess, but her acting is stiff and shallow. Thijs Romer did a better job. By slightly over-acting he managed to give the character Jason a certain ''theatrical'' air to it. For some reason that worked splendidly.

The screenplay by Theodor Holman was well-written, though I must say that there are too many side roads to keep the main storyline around Medea and Jason from running smoothly. There is almost no tension. Too much happening in too little time.