six young lives facing death on screen
Doetinchem, zondag, 19 april 2026.
the new season of over mijn lijk begins today on npo 1. it follows six young adults living with terminal cancer and other incurable conditions. four of them have already passed away before the premiere. the series shows raw moments: a woman painting her coffin with her children, a man preparing for risky brain surgery, others celebrating birthdays amid treatment. tim hofman walks alongside them, capturing how they choose to live. the show offers no easy answers but reveals deep courage. viewers witness love, fear, hope and loss in equal measure. it’s not just about dying. it’s about what comes into focus when time runs out.
six young lives facing death on screen
The new season of Over Mijn Lijk premiered today, April 19, 2026, on NPO 1 [1]. The documentary series follows six young adults coping with terminal illnesses under the guidance of presenter Tim Hofman [2]. Four of the participants—Madelief, Tycho, Loraine, and Marit—have already died before the season aired [3]. The program captures intimate moments such as Nicole painting her coffin with her children and Koen preparing for high-risk brain surgery [4]. It portrays both vulnerability and resilience in the face of mortality.
profiles of the participants
Madelief (25) from Heerlen battles advanced liver cancer and celebrated her birthday with a ‘25 and still alive’ party [5]. Tycho (24) from Venlo undergoes chemotherapy and chose to shave his head ahead of hair loss [6]. Loraine (26) from Doetinchem lives with metastatic ovarian cancer she has endured for over two years [7]. Marit (23), Koen (27), and Nicole (34) round out the group, each navigating life after a terminal diagnosis [2]. Their personal journeys form the emotional core of the series.
tim hofman’s immersive approach
Presenter Tim Hofman spends approximately two years filming each season, embedding himself deeply in the lives of the participants [1]. He describes the process as emotionally demanding yet transformative, stating, ‘Over Mijn Lijk is part of my existence now’ [2]. Hofman attended pivotal events including Marit’s wedding and accompanied Nicole during the painting of her casket [2]. His presence underscores the show’s commitment to authenticity, though he admits difficulty being present for every final farewell [2].
public reception and emotional impact
Audience reactions reflect profound emotional engagement with the series [3]. Forum discussions confirm that four of the six participants have already passed away, which users describe as heartbreaking [3]. Some viewers find the content difficult due to personal experiences with terminal illness, calling it ‘discomforting’ despite its value [3]. Others praise it as a meaningful legacy, appreciating the honesty and courage displayed [3]. Episodes air weekly at 21:00 on NPO 1 and remain available via NPO Start [1][7].