You probably recognize that face. The towering 6'4" frame, the sharp jawline, and that specific brand of "brutal honesty" that only a Dutch center-back could pull off. Most people know him as Jan Maas, the man who told everyone exactly what they didn't want to hear on Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso. But if you think David Elsendoorn movies and TV shows begin and end with Richmond AFC, you're missing about half the story.
Honestly, it's kind of funny how he became the face of Dutch "directness" for millions of viewers. He’s not actually that mean in real life. Or so he says.
Why David Elsendoorn Movies and TV Shows Are More Than Just Jan Maas
David wasn't some random guy found on a soccer pitch. He’s a classically trained actor who graduated from the Amsterdam Theater School (AHK). That matters because it explains why he can jump from a gritty Dutch drama to a sugary-sweet Hallmark romance without breaking a sweat.
His career didn't start in London; it started in Utrecht.
The Ted Lasso Breakthrough
Before we get into the deep cuts, we have to talk about the mustache in the room. When David joined Ted Lasso in Season 2, he wasn't just another player. He was a cultural reset for the show. Playing Jan Maas, a character who transferred from Ajax, he became the ultimate foil to Ted’s "kill 'em with kindness" vibe.
Remember the scene where he explains that he isn't being rude, he's just being Dutch? That line basically defined his international career. He roomed with Cristo Fernández (Dani Rojas) during filming, which is a sitcom in itself if you think about it. The "Football is Life" guy living with the "Your hair is thinning" guy.
The Hallmark Pivot
This is where things get weirdly interesting. Usually, after a hit like Ted Lasso, actors go for the Marvel movies or the gritty HBO miniseries. David? He went to Norway. And Belgium.
In 2023, he starred in My Norwegian Holiday as Henrik Strøm. It was a massive hit for Hallmark, mostly because David actually felt like a real person instead of a cardboard cutout. Then, in early 2025, he doubled down with The Perfect Setting. He plays Alexander, a Belgian man caught up in a Valentine's Day diamond contest.
It’s a bizarrely successful niche. He’s become the "European Romantic Interest" of choice for the Hallmark crowd.
The Early Dutch Years: SpangaS and More
If you grew up in the Netherlands, you might have seen him way before he was telling Roy Kent to shut up. He had a run in SpangaS, which is basically the Dutch equivalent of Degrassi. It’s a rite of passage for young actors over there.
Then there's Turbulent Skies (Vliegende Hollanders), where he played Hans Plesman. It's a high-production-value historical drama about the founding of KLM. If you want to see David actually act—like, really dig into a period piece—this is the one to find. He also popped up in:
- Flikken Maastricht (The Dutch staple crime show)
- Gelukzoekers (A 2018 film where he played Harko)
- Meisje van Plezier (Playing Wessel)
He even had a small part in the 2013 film The Resurrection of a Bastard. He’s been grinding for a long time.
The "Dutch Directness" Misconception
People search for David Elsendoorn movies and TV shows expecting to find more Jan Maas. But in his Dutch work, he’s much more versatile. In I Know Who You Are (Ik weet wie je bent), he played Marc Kasteel across 16 episodes. It's a psychological thriller. No jokes about Higgins’ fashion choices there.
What’s interesting is how his physical presence dictates his roles. At 6'4", he's often cast as the "big guy"—the athlete, the protector, or the intimidating stranger. But in his recent Hallmark work, he’s leaning into the "gentle giant" trope.
Is he still doing Ted Lasso stuff?
As of 2026, the Ted Lasso universe is a bit of a question mark. There are always rumors about Season 4 or a spin-off focused on the Richmond women's team. David has been pretty quiet about it, likely because he's busy filming in Europe. His IMDb is looking more and more international every year.
What to Watch First
If you’re new to his filmography, don't just stick to the soccer stuff.
- Ted Lasso (Seasons 2-3): Obviously. It’s the baseline.
- My Norwegian Holiday: If you want something cozy and actually well-acted for a TV movie.
- Turbulent Skies: To see his range in a historical context.
- The Perfect Setting: His most recent 2025 lead role.
The reality is that David Elsendoorn is a character actor who happens to look like a leading man. He’s got that Amsterdam theater training that keeps him grounded, but he's clearly enjoying the Hollywood (and Hallmark) paycheck.
How to keep up with him
Most of his early Dutch work is hard to find on US streaming services unless you have a VPN and a subscription to Videoland. However, his newer projects are all over Peacock, Hallmark+, and Apple TV+.
If you want to follow his career, watch for European co-productions. He seems to be the go-to guy for projects that need a bridge between European sensibilities and American audiences. He isn't just "the Dutch guy" anymore; he's a legitimate international actor with a very specific, very tall brand.
Check out The Perfect Setting if you haven't yet. It’s a decent barometer for where his career is heading—away from the pitch and toward more leading-man roles. It’ll be interesting to see if he returns to gritty Dutch cinema or stays in the bright, colorful world of international rom-coms.