Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is created by Jo Nesbø, one of the most influential voices in crime fiction
Netflix continues to invest in dark, character-driven crime storytelling, following the success of Homeland on Netflix, with Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, a bleak Oslo-set series adapted from the bestselling Harry Hole novels. Set in Norway’s capital, the series brings one of modern crime fiction’s most complex characters to the screen and positions itself firmly within the Nordic noir tradition. Rather than relying on procedural momentum, it prioritizes psychological tension, moral compromise, and the quiet decay of institutions.
The release of the first teaser trailer confirms those ambitions. Instead of outlining the mechanics of the case, the footage emphasizes atmosphere — cold cityscapes, fractured authority, and a detective moving through a system already compromised. It is a slow-burn crime drama shaped by pressure rather than spectacle. Here is everything you need to know about Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole – from the plot and cast to reviews and release date. The trailer is at the bottom of the article..
Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole: all the key details
- Title: Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole
- Original title: Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole
- Format: Series
- Episodes: 9
- Genre: Crime, Nordic noir, Thriller
- Country of production: Norway
- Original language: Norwegian
- Release date: March 26, 2026
- Creator / Showrunner: Jo Nesbø
- Directors: Øystein Karlsen, Anna Zackrisson
- Lead cast: Tobias Santelmann, Joel Kinnaman, Pia Tjelta, Peter Stormare
- Produced by: Netflix, Working Title Television
What Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is about
Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole follows Harry Hole, a homicide detective whose investigative instincts are matched only by his personal instability. As a serial killer investigation tightens its grip on Oslo, Harry is forced to operate inside a police force riddled with compromise, where loyalty, power, and survival often outweigh justice.
The series treats crime as erosion rather than shock. Each discovery exposes not only the mechanics of violence, but the quiet agreements and moral shortcuts that allow it to persist. The result is a character-driven thriller where the true conflict lies as much within the institution as it does on the streets.
Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole cast: the main characters
Tobias Santelmann leads the series as Harry Hole, presenting the character as both formidable and visibly worn down. His performance anchors the show’s psychological weight, emphasizing restraint and internal conflict rather than heroics. He said: “Stepping into Harry Hole’s shoes has been a tremendous honor and a thrilling challenge. Jo Nesbø’s world is so rich, and Harry is a truly complex character. I’m thankful for this opportunity, and I hope the audience will enjoy our Harry Hole. Bringing him to life, and working with everyone involved, has been a true privilege.”
Joel Kinnaman plays Tom Waaler, a fellow detective whose corruption places him in direct opposition to Harry. Pia Tjelta appears as Rakel Fauke, a stabilizing emotional presence, while Peter Stormare joins the ensemble in a supporting role that reinforces the series’ bleak tone.
Created by Jo Nesbø, the bestselling author behind Harry Hole
Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is created by Jo Nesbø, one of the most influential crime storytellers of the modern era. His novels have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 50 languages, reaching readers far beyond the traditional thriller audience. Known for pushing the genre into darker psychological territory, Nesbø’s work blends literary ambition with a piercing understanding of modern life, reshaping what crime fiction can be.
Author, creator and executive producer Jo Nesbø said: “It’s been just great working with Tobias Santelmann and creating a character that is fresh, still true to the character and his universe in the novels. I’m really looking forward to presenting this Harry Hole to the audience.” Commenting during the initial stages of production of Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, Jo Nesbø said: “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.”
Teaser trailer sets the tone
Netflix has released the first teaser trailer for Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, offering a deliberately restrained introduction to the series. The footage avoids plot exposition, focusing instead on mood, isolation, and the psychological cost of investigation.
Harry Hole is introduced through stillness rather than action, reinforcing the idea that this is a story about internal collapse as much as external violence. The teaser frames Oslo as cold and unforgiving, a city that absorbs damage rather than reacts to it.
Is Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole based on a true story?
No. The series is fictional and adapted from Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole novels. The first season draws primarily from The Devil’s Star, the fifth book in the series, while remaining accessible to viewers unfamiliar with the source material.
What reviews say about Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole
Early industry coverage positions the show as one of Netflix’s most serious Nordic crime adaptations, emphasizing fidelity to tone and character rather than procedural convention.
Why watch Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole
If you enjoyed The Chestnut Man or The Killing, this series fits naturally into that space, blending Nordic noir austerity with a character-focused exploration of obsession, corruption, and moral fatigue.
Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole release date on streaming
Coming soon. Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole will stream on Netflix. Release date: March 26, 2026.
Watch on Netflix.
Watch the trailer
Here’s the trailer to get a first taste.
