Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 10 hrs ago
Gijs Naber takes over as Sinterklaas from Stefan de Walle
Dutch actor Gijs Naber has been named the new Sinterklaas, taking over the role from Stefan de Walle.
He is due to arrive in Grave, in North Brabant, for the traditional national entry.
De Walle left the role in September after 15 years, though it is not clear whether he chose to stop.
The change was kept secret for weeks, with several other actors mentioned as possible successors.
The first Sinterklaasjournaal episode teased Sinterklaas's absence from the steamboat and drew a record 2.3 million viewers, up from 1.7 million last year.
Naber is a 46-year-old award-winning actor whose work includes Dutch films, theatre and television.
Actor Gijs Naber has taken over the role of Sinterklaas from Stefan de Walle.
Naber is due to appear as Sinterklaas at the national arrival in Grave, in North Brabant.
De Walle, 61, left the role in September after 15 years.
The mystery around the successor drew attention to the first episode of the Sinterklaasjournaal, which attracted a record 2.3 million viewers.
Naber is 46 and has acted in films, television series and theatre productions.
- Who
- Actor Gijs Naber takes over from Stefan de Walle as Sinterklaas.
- What
- Naber will play Sinterklaas, wearing the red mitre and carrying the staff.
- When
- The successor was revealed on November 14, 2026. De Walle left the role in September after 15 years.
- Where
- Naber is due to appear at the national Sinterklaas arrival in Grave, North Brabant.
- Why
- De Walle left the role after 15 years. The reason he stopped is not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Stefan de Walle left the role after 15 years.
The episode drew 2.3 million viewers, a record.
Gijs Naber was revealed as De Walle's successor and was due to appear at the national arrival in Grave.
- New Sinterklaas
- Gijs Naber
- Predecessor
- Stefan de Walle
- De Walle's time in role
- 15 years
- National arrival
- Grave, North Brabant
- First episode audience
- 2.3 million viewers
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What people are saying
I will tell the whole story of how it all happened and how this outcome came about sometime later, in detail.