Professionals

If you are a fan of drama-filled soap operas that perfectly blend romance and suspense, then 'Goede tijden, slechte tijden' (often abbreviated as GTST) is exactly what you need to add to your watchlist. Having premiered on October 1st, 1990, this Dutch classic continues to be an audience favorite on RTL4.

GTST has made history as the first daily soap opera in Europe, setting the pace for many other series in the genre. Based initially on the Australian soap 'The Restless Years,' GTST later switched to original scripts from its third season onwards. Set in the fictional town of Meerdijk, it centers around several families including Alberts, Sanders, De Jong, Van Houten and Bouwhuis.

What makes GTST exceptionally gripping is its successful incorporation of relatable life elements such as marriage and divorce as well as more extreme experiences like kidnappings and business intrigues. The series isn't afraid of tackling controversial topics either – in 2014 it became a trailblazer by featuring a gay marriage on Dutch TV.

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