Where ‘The Perfect Lie’ Was Filmed, From Amsterdam Canals to the Dutch Coast

Netflix’s new Dutch mystery drama has viewers asking where exactly the story’s glossy, secret filled world was brought to life. ‘The Perfect Lie’ leans heavily on real Dutch geography rather than a stand in country, and that choice shapes much of what makes the series feel so distinct.

The show follows Karen and her family as they settle into an affluent community, only to be pulled into a web of hidden truths after a fire upends the lives of their new friends. Because the story is set in a fictionalized version of a real affluent Dutch village, the production leaned into authentic Dutch geography rather than swapping in a stand in country, a choice that is fairly rare for a Netflix international original.

The Dutch Thriller’s Bergen Setting Comes to Life

The series takes place in Bergen, a wealthy area in the Netherlands, where it was also mostly filmed. To make the show feel as immersive as possible, the creators decided to film most of the scenes practically in North Holland, including Bergen, where the story is set. That decision grounds the show’s central drama, since the fictional friend group’s polished lifestyle depends on the town’s real upscale character.

In the municipality of Bergen, the cast and crew set up in the seaside resort of Bergen aan Zee, known for its pristine beaches and dunes. The filming unit also used the village of Schoorl, situated within Bergen municipality, to capture numerous key portions of ‘The Perfect Lie,’ including the Beach Restaurant Prince George at Strand Camperduin.

Additional pivotal sequences were filmed in the municipality of Huizen, as well as the port town of IJmuiden, located within the municipality of Velsen. These coastal and small town settings reinforce the show’s contrast between sunny, picturesque surroundings and the darker secrets simmering beneath them.

Amsterdam and North Holland Filming Locations

A major chunk of ‘The Perfect Lie’ was reportedly lensed in the province of North Holland, located in the Netherlands’ northwestern part, with the Dutch capital, Amsterdam, serving as a prominent production location for the mystery show. Its extensive canal system, which makes Amsterdam also known as the Venice of the North, likely features in the backdrop of multiple outdoor scenes, alongside landmarks such as the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, the Royal Palace of Amsterdam and Dam Square.

The mix of upscale villas, quiet beach towns and historic city streets gives ‘The Perfect Lie’ a layered, almost travelogue quality that fits its story of wealthy friends hiding ugly truths behind pretty facades. That combination of settings has become part of the conversation around the series since its premiere.

Fans who have already watched the seven episode season have pointed to the seaside imagery as one of the show’s strongest visual signatures, with the contrast between sunny dunes and dark secrets becoming a recurring talking point online. Reviewers have also weighed in on the overall look of the production, with some noting how carefully the visual style supports the story’s tension.

South Holland Locations Add to the Story

Beyond North Holland, the production also traveled south to the province of South Holland to capture additional footage, with crew members spotted filming important scenes in The Hague, the provincial capital. The seaside resort of Katwijk aan Zee and the town of Voorburg also hosted the production of ‘The Perfect Lie.’

Numerous other key portions were shot on location in the village of Lage Vuursche and the town of Zeist. Spreading production across so many distinct Dutch towns gave the series a wide geographic footprint for a show built around one tight, insular friend group.

Reviewers have noted that the series stands out as one of the most visually polished Dutch productions Netflix has released, with no expense appearing to be spared in making the show look genuinely cinematic. That attention to real locations appears to be paying off with audiences who enjoy spotting recognizable Dutch scenery on screen.

Cast and Story Behind ‘The Perfect Lie’

The leading roles in ‘The Perfect Lie’ are played by Loes Haverkort, Teun Luijkx, Remko Vrijdag, Rifka Lodeizen, Charlie Chan Dagelet, Matthijs van de Sande Bakhuyzen, Noortje Herlaar and Edwin Jonker. Loes Haverkort plays the protagonist, Karen, who has recently moved to an affluent neighborhood in Bergen along with her husband and daughter.

The series is based on Saskia Noort’s bestselling novel ‘The Dinner Club,’ also known as ‘De Eetclub,’ and centers on four couples who live well, eat together and hide things from each other until a house fire kills one of their own. The Perfect Lie is produced by Fiction Valley and directed by Dana Nechushtan and Margien Rogaar.

The series became available worldwide on Netflix beginning September 10, 2026. The show only has a handful of reviews so far, though those early notices have given the series fresh ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.

Because the show reshapes the narrative for television, viewers familiar with the book or the earlier film are advised not to assume the same sequence of revelations or the same ending. With the real Dutch coastline and Amsterdam’s canals doing so much work to sell the story’s world, it feels fair to ask which of Karen’s carefully filmed surroundings stuck with you most once the fire changed everything.