Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2024
Netflix Nordic announced Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole series in early 2024, later confirming the project would officially be titled Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole. Tobias Santelmann, Joel Kinnaman, and Pia Tjelta lead a stacked ensemble cast for the gritty Norwegian crime drama, which wrapped filming in December 2024 and is now set for a global Netflix debut in March 2026. Here’s everything we know about the upcoming series.
The new Netflix series adapts Norwegian author Jo Nesbø’s long-running Harry Hole crime novel franchise, which began in 1997 and spans 17 books as of 2023. The story centers on Harry Hole, a brilliant but deeply troubled homicide detective whose effectiveness on the job is matched only by his personal demons.
Jo Nesbø serves as creator and screenwriter on the series. Direction is handled by Øystein Karlsen (Exit) and Anna Zackrisson (The Helicopter Heist). The series is produced by Working Title and filmed on location in Oslo, Norway, with Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group, serving as the studio.
What is the plot of Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole?
The first season adapts Nesbø’s 2003 novel The Devil’s Star. The story follows Harry Hole as he investigates a string of brutal serial killings while suspecting corruption within his own department, including a fellow police officer.
Here’s the official season logline from Netflix:
Throughout the first season, Harry goes head-to-head with his long-time adversary and corrupt detective Tom Waaler. Harry is a brilliant but tormented homicide detective who struggles with his demons. As the two navigate the blurred ethical lines of the criminal justice system, Harry must do all he can to catch a serial killer and bring Waaler to justice before it is too late.
Jo Nesbø previously commented on his vision for the adaptation:
“I’m guessing that all readers of the book series have their own vision of what Harry Hole would look like, and they should be allowed to keep that. We will create a Harry that is based not only on the books but someone based on the actor Tobias Santelmann and everyone involved in this project, both in front of and behind the camera. For me, storytelling isn’t about serving people what they think they want, but what they didn’t know they wanted. We will try to create something fresh, exciting, and surprising with respect to the book version of Harry.”
Santelmann added:
“I am incredibly grateful for the trust I have been shown in getting to play Harry Hole. I am very much aware of the huge global fan base and the millions of readers who love the character. For me, it is about creating a Harry that people can both recognize and be surprised by.”
Previously, Harry Hole was portrayed by Michael Fassbender in the 2017 film The Snowman, directed by Tomas Alfredson. The movie struggled both commercially and critically, earning a 7% score on Rotten Tomatoes and failing to launch a franchise.
(L to R) Øystein Karlsen, Jo Nesbø, Joel Kinnaman, Tobias Santelmann and Pia Tjelta at Netflix’s Harry Hole press conference in Oslo, Norway on May 21st, 2024. (Photo by Francisco Munoz for Netflix)
Who stars in Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole?
Tobias Santelmann (Exit, The Arctic Convoy) stars as Detective Harry Hole. He is joined by Joel Kinnaman (Altered Carbon, The Suicide Squad) as Tom Waaler and Pia Tjelta (Made in Oslo) as Rakel Fauke.
Joel Kinnaman, Pia Tjelta and Tobias Santelmann at Netflix’s Harry Hole press conference in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Francisco Munoz for Netflix)
The full cast includes:
- Agnes Kittelsen (Dag)
- Agot Sendstad (Neste sommer)
- Anders Baasmo Christiansen (Power Play)
- Anders Danielsen Lie (Oslo, August 31st)
- Ane Dahl Torp (Home Ground)
- Atle Antonsen (Kjære landsmenn)
- Dagny
- Eili Harboe (Succession)
- Eirik Hallert (Headhunters)
- Ellen Helinder (Exit)
- Frank Kjosås (Exit)
- Fridtjov Såheim (Troll)
- Helge Jordal (Orion’s Belt)
- Henriette Steenstrup (Ragnarok)
- Henrik Mestad (Occupied)
- Ingar Helge Gimle (Norsemen)
- Ingrid Bolsø Berdal (Westworld)
- Jesper Christensen (Casino Royale)
- Jonas Strand Gravli (Ragnarok)
- Kåre Conradi (Norsemen)
- Kelly Gale (Deep Water)
- Kristoffer Joner (War Sailor)
- Linn Skåber (Midsummer Night)
- Maja Christiansen (Julestjerna)
- Manish Sharma (Power Play)
- Nader Khademi (Power Play)
- Oddgeir Thune (Billionaire Island)
- Peter Stormare (Fargo)
- Ravdeep Singh Bajwa (A Storm for Christmas)
- Simon J. Berger (Don’t Ever Wipe Tears Without Gloves)
- Sonny Lindberg (The Rain)
What is the production status of Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole?
Development
Filming Scheduled
Filming Ongoing
Post-Production
Principal photography began on May 23rd, 2024, in Oslo, Norway, and wrapped on December 6th, 2024. Netflix confirmed the end of filming with a first-look behind-the-scenes video.
How many episodes are there?
The first season consists of nine episodes.
When is Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole coming to Netflix?
Netflix has confirmed that Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole will premiere globally on March 26th, 2026.
Picture Credit: Netflix
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