From BBC Sitcom to Dutch Reboot: The Enduring Legacy of ‘2point4 Children’ and ‘Kees & Co’
The British comedy series 2point4 Children was a major success for the BBC, running from 1991 to 1999. Its popularity quickly sparked interest in the Netherlands, leading to a translation and adaptation by Martine Bijl for a Dutch audience.
Kees & Co premiered on RTL 4 in 1997, starring Simone Kleinsma as Kees, alongside Rik Hoogendoorn as her husband, Ben Heistee. Amber Teterissa and Robin Tjon Pian Gi played their rebellious teenage children, Anne and Rudie, respectively.
A Ratings Hit and Family Dynamics
The series initially focused on the everyday life of the Heistee family, navigating the challenges of parenthood and marriage. A key element was the relationship between Kees and her best friend and colleague, Sonja, played by Esther Roord. They worked together in a bakery and later started a catering business.
2point4 Children regularly attracted audiences of up to 14 million viewers throughout the 1990s, averaging between 6 and 9 million. The show featured guest appearances from actors like Ella Snoep, Michiel Kerbosch, and Femke Mostert, contributing to its widespread appeal. Rik Hoogendoorn described the cast as a cohesive unit, working together effectively.
Turbulence and Transition: The Impact of Gary Olsen’s Passing
By 1999, the series faced a significant challenge with the cancer diagnosis of Gary Olsen, the actor who played Ben in the original 2point4 Children. His death in September 2000 prompted the BBC to cancel the show. Dutch producers were left to determine how to continue Kees & Co, which was inspired by the British scripts.
The writers ultimately decided to create original scripts. Hoogendoorn’s departure led to a dramatic exit for his character, Ben, who was killed off in the first episode of season six. Han Oldigs was then introduced as Kees’s new love interest.
Shifting Dynamics and a Return to Form
The introduction of Han Oldigs’ character wasn’t well-received by all fans. Season six also saw a reduced role for Rudie, leading to the actor’s departure to focus on his studies. Viewership declined, threatening the show’s future.
In a bid to revitalize the series, a new family, the Speijers, was introduced in season seven, led by Frank Speijer (Victor Löw) and his children. Margo Dames joined the cast as Frank’s ex-wife. While ratings improved, the show’s future remained uncertain.
The 2019 Reboot and its Challenges
Kees & Co returned to television in 2019, prompted by continued viewership on Videoland. RTL asked Simone Kleinsma to revive the series, but with a new storyline: Kees had moved to Spain and was living as a single woman.
The plot involved Kees’s son, Rudie (played by Tibor Lukács), secretly moving into her house with his pregnant girlfriend, Coosje van Vliet (Chantal Janzen), and their children. Kees decided to return to the Netherlands to support the family. The first episode of the ninth season attracted over two million viewers, but criticism arose from fans who missed the original cast.
Final Curtain and a Lasting Impact
After season nine, Chantal Janzen’s commitments led to her departure, with Tina de Bruijn taking over the role of Coosje. Viewership continued to decline, falling below one million in season ten. Despite attempts to bring Esther Roord back for a cameo, her health prevented it.
In November 2020, RTL announced the cancellation of Kees & Co, leaving a cliffhanger ending with Rudie’s proposal to Coosje unresolved. The series concluded after ten seasons.
The Passing of Esther Roord
Esther Roord, known for her role as Sonja in Kees & Co, passed away on March 25, 2026, at the age of 61. Simone Kleinsma shared her grief and remembrance of her television friend.
FAQ
- What was ‘2point4 Children’ about? It followed the lives of the Porter family, a seemingly average working-class London family whose lives were often disrupted by bad luck and bizarre occurrences.
- Who played Kees in ‘Kees & Co’? Simone Kleinsma played the lead role of Kees Heistee.
- Why did Rik Hoogendoorn exit ‘Kees & Co’? He disagreed with the direction of the scripts after Gary Olsen’s death and his character was written out.
- What happened to the show after Gary Olsen’s death? The BBC cancelled the original series, and the Dutch adaptation had to discover a new direction.
Did you know? The name ‘2point4 Children’ refers to the average family size in the UK at the time the series was created.
Pro Tip: Classic sitcoms often rely on relatable family dynamics and comedic timing. ‘Kees & Co’ successfully adapted this formula for a Dutch audience, demonstrating the universal appeal of these themes.
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