Former commandos Ray Klaassens and Dai Carter compete against each other for the first time in Strijders, AVROTROS' new TV program. Under the watching eye of presenter Jeroen van Koningsbrugge, Ray and Dai do everything they can to guide their own team to victory in an ultimate military championship.
Strijders (Season 2)

The selection procedure (Episode 1) 7.7
Air date: 2026-08-31
Runtime: 55 min
Overview: In Bulgaria, twenty candidates take on the ultimate military competition led by ex-commandos Ray and Dai. No tactical games, but the raw reality of grueling missions and trials. After a grueling ordeal on day one, designed to separate the true die-hards from the talkers, the first doubtful cases must prove themselves immediately. In the infamous ‘End Zone’, a course where physical strength, mental sharpness, and a steady hand come together, they battle against one another. Whoever finishes last must leave the field immediately.

Episode 2 (Episode 2) 7.5
Air date: 2026-09-07
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Ray and Dai are once again carefully assembling their teams, aiming not only to secure victory but also to test whether the candidates are true warriors. The battle revolves around wrestling, one of the oldest and most respected military unarmed combat sports in the world. It promises to be an intense confrontation between Ray and Dai, both determined to demonstrate that their methods, selection process, and training approach are the best. Losing face is out of the question. Victory is not determined solely by physical strength; strategic insight plays a crucial role. Without well-thought-out tactics, the ruthless End Zone lurks, with the risk that their own favorites will be mercilessly eliminated.

Episode 3 (Episode 3) 7.5
Air date: 2026-09-14
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Former commandos Ray and Dai subject the candidates to a series of challenging trials to test their physical and mental limits. An unexpected injury disrupts the course of the competition, causing the battle to intensify. High above a steep cliff, the teams battle for a crucial tactical advantage during an exhausting march, carrying more than 350 kilos of equipment. For the losing team, the ruthless End Zone awaits: the ultimate test that reveals who can keep a cool head while their body is on the verge of giving way.

Episode 4 (Episode 4) 7.5
Air date: 2026-09-21
Runtime: 55 min
Overview: Military competitions are not about participation, but about victory. The intense ‘Battle Climb Out’ begins at a remote location. Blindfolded and completely in the dark, the teams are dropped into a deep pool by the instructors. As tension mounts, two team members unexpectedly vanish into the complex’s dark, underground corridors. The pressing question remains: who will manage to escape, and who will be forced to leave the battlefield for good?
Episode 5 (Episode 5) 8.0
Air date: 2026-09-28
Runtime: 55 min
Overview: Ray and Dai are not looking for warriors who possess only strength, speed, or intelligence. A true warrior stays sharp, communicates effectively under pressure, and brings out the best in the team. Training and combat ruthlessly reveal which candidates possess these qualities and who will never reach the Final Patrol. Marinda faces the challenge of managing her susceptibility to stress, while Bo confronts a setback with far-reaching consequences.
Episode 6 (Episode 6)
Air date: 2026-10-05
Runtime: 55 min
Episode 7 (Episode 7)
Air date: 2026-10-12
Runtime: 55 min
Episode 8 (Episode 8)
Air date: 2026-10-19
Runtime: 55 min
Episode 9 (Episode 9)
Episode 10 (Episode 10)
