The highly anticipated adaptation of Jo Nesbø’s bestselling Harry Hole series, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, premieres worldwide on Netflix today.
At 8am CET this morning, all nine episodes of the show went live in 190 countries.

Last Friday saw the world-premiere of Netflix’s Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole in Oslo. The first batch of reviews have come in and they are all excellent. Below is a selection of press quotes.

All nine episodes of Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole will air globally on Netflix on Thursday, March 26th.

“Nine episodes lean toward the longer side of streaming offerings these days, yet Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole wisely utilizes its generous time. Equal parts psychological character study and plot-driven brain-twister, the show largely maintains its momentum throughout; bursts of graphic violence and meditative investigations interrupt the pervasive coiling tendrils of dread, before speeding into propulsive overdrive once hero and villain find the walls closing in around them. A roundhouse-kick of a thrill ride that lives up to the promises baked into the thriller subgenre’s name, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole delivers virtually everywhere it should — which is nothing less than what a modern legend deserves.”
Collider, US

“Santelmann is perfectly cast as Harry, with a grizzled, tough exterior that makes him utterly believable as this determined man who has been beaten down by life, while also retaining a tenderness, particularly in scenes with his girlfriend Rakel and her son Oleg. No matter how poorly he behaves or how one-track his mind is, he is always an empathetic character who you can’t help but root for – in direct contrast to Waaler. Speaking of Waaler, Kinnaman has never been better than he is here. A truly twisted, slimy and thrillingly complex figure, Waaler is the show’s most interesting asset and the perfect foil for Harry in this first season. Kinnaman goes to some extreme places here, and it’s never anything less than captivating to watch. The battle between these two forces is easily the best aspect of the nine-part series, which also (of course) features an overarching serial killer storyline. This storyline leans into everything you’d expect from this sort of series, and in doing so brings the tense, chilling atmosphere the genre is synonymous with, even if it is set during the sun-dappled height of summer.”
RadioTimes, UK

“Nordic noir at its best. Series creator Jo Nesbø and director Øystein Karlsen hit the mark with stylish and captivating noir entertainment. /…/ Rough, hard-boiled, witty. /…/ In Tobias Santelmann’s charismatic title-role, Hole is just as sharp, vulnerable, thirsty, witty, disheveled and self-sacrificing as a vicious investigator should be. /…/ An energetic series that plays confidently and smartly with the Nordic noir landscape. The series is bursting with drama, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and some topical social commentary.”
NRK, Norway
★★★★★

“Netflix hasn’t just made a crime series; they’ve managed to capture the essence of why we can never get enough of Harry Hole. /…/ It’s raw, it’s stylish, and it’s just as uncomfortable as good crime should be. Harry Hole has found its place in the streaming giant’s library, and although Oslo has never looked worse, a Norwegian crime series has rarely looked better. We’re looking forward to season two. Jo Nesbø is a really good crime writer. Now he’s also a really good screenwriter for TV series.”
Nettavisen, Norway
★★★★★

“Hole in one. If you’re going to make a TV series of Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole, you first have to meet Harry. That’s what Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole does. But this is not for the faint of heart.”
Stavanger Aftenblad, Norway
★★★★★

“Nesbø’s pitch-black crime triumph. With the adaptation of Jo Nesbø’s dark crime universe, Netflix confirms once and for all how good the crime genre can be. /…/ After spending over seven hours in Oslo’s dark backstreets, we can happily conclude that Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is one of the best Nordic series ever produced, and definitely the most successful crime series – with the potential to reach a wide international audience. /…/ Nesbø’s sharp pen is characterized by his psychological insight into the multifaceted characters, a colorful cast of characters, and novels that do not shy away from explicit and gross violence. A style that the series certainly preserves and expands. /…/ Kinnaman is brilliant as the icy, cynical psychopath – who is only out to get his own share of the pie, regardless of the consequences for those around him. He goes from smooth-talking, seemingly jovial to completely rabid lunatic with delightfully playful ease at the snap of a finger. /…/ With the slightly sleepy expression of a retired boxer who has gone a little too many rounds in the ring, the versatile Santelmann is a perfect match as the investigator who is struggling with his inner demons, ailing private life, and the search for justice for the victims. /…/ The interplay between Santelmann and Kinnaman sparkles. /…/ Most certainly one of the best we’ve seen on the crime front. In terms of police work, we get a touch of Harry Bosch, but in a far more brutal, complex and fascinating universe. With exceptional production quality in every aspect and a cast that all outperforms, Netflix has hit the bullseye with Nesbø’s work.
Lyd & bilde, Norway
★★★★★★

“World-class Norwegian crime. Netflix’s Harry Hole series delivers unparalleled drama. /…/ To say that Netflix’s new TV series is simply ‘riveting’ is an understatement – at its best, this is world-class crime fiction. /…/ Tobias Santelmann takes on the lead role with utmost ease and has both the weight and charisma needed. He is credible as a drunkard, and even better when Hole clears his head and butts in. The investigator is sharp and observant, but also fallible, full of personal flaws. /…/ It’s simply very good craftsmanship, and you quickly notice that the author himself has several hands in it. This is Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, after all, and Nesbø is both series creator and screenwriter. This means that the characters, their characteristics and development throughout the series closely align with the source material, and the script is of a high, high class. /…/ The series is characterized by powerful, excellent acting: Tobias Santelmann is Harry Hole, Joel Kinnaman is a great actor as his dark, genuinely threatening counterpart, and to top it all off, none of the supporting characters lose out during the season. Let’s hope that Netflix realizes what they have here and is already well underway in adapting Nesbø’s remaining crime books.
Gamer, Norway
9/10

“Tobias Santelmann excels as Harry Hole. /…/ Here, Santelmann and screenwriter Nesbø bring out what makes Harry Hole such an interesting character. /…/ He has deeply human traits that Nesbø carefully builds in his stories.
Aftenposten, Norway
★★★★

Netflix just released the official trailer for Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole.

“Harry Hole isn’t just another detective,” actor Tobias Santelmann tells Netflix. “He’s a character [who] readers around the world have lived with for almost 30 years, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring him to the screen. I approached this role with deep respect for Jo Nesbø’s work and for the audience that has followed Harry for so long. At the same time, I had to find my Harry — or our Harry — and I hope we’ve created something that feels true to the spirit of the books while also standing on its own.”

As seen in the trailer, Hole is on the hunt for a serial killer lurking in the dark recesses of Oslo’s streets while also attempting to bring corrupt cop Waaler to justice. It’s no wonder that when Hole is asked how long he’s worked as a detective, his answer is a world-weary one: “Far too long.”

For Kinnaman, playing Waaler was “an exciting challenge” that was also rewarding. “Filming in Oslo, the city so deeply woven into Jo Nesbø’s novels, brings an authenticity to the series that’s impossible to replicate,” he tells Netflix. “Collaborating closely with Jo to explore this darker side of Harry’s world has been a rewarding creative experience, and I’m so proud to help bring this story to the screen.”

“Do you ever think about what makes people like us do what we do?” Waaler asks Hole.

The answer? “To silence those goddamn voices.”

Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole will be streaming on Netflix globally on March 26.

Netflix just released a behind the scenes-video of Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole – a first look into the production and what went into creating this series adaptation based on Jo Nesbø’s bestselling Harry Hole novels.

This morning Netflix revealed the teaser trailer for Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, the first TV-series based on Nesbø’s internationally bestselling novels featuring Harry Hole, marking the beginning of a new era for one of literature’s most iconic detectives, played by actor Tobias Santelmann.

Author, creator and executive producer Jo Nesbø: “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.”

Actor: Tobias Santelmann: “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.”

Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole will have its global premiere on March 26th.

This morning Netflix announced that acclaimed musicians and composers Nick Cave and Warren Ellis will create the original score for the highly anticipated new series Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole.

The pairing of Cave and Ellis with the dark, atmospheric world of Harry Hole is a match made in noir heaven. Renowned for their haunting, emotive soundtracks – spanning films such as The Proposition, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, and Wind River – Cave and Ellis bring a depth and intensity that perfectly echoes the psychological complexity and Nordic noir sensibility of Nesbø’s universe. 

Composer Nick Cave: “We loved working on this adaptation – Harry Hole’s murky, morally-complex world has been brought to life in all its darkly brutal glory, and it was an honour to work with the legendary Jo Nesbo.”

Author, creator and executive producer Jo Nesbø: “Nick Cave and Warren Ellis are masters at conjuring mood and tension, and their music is the ideal companion to Harry Hole’s brooding, enigmatic journey through the shadows of Oslo. Their music has always been a soundtrack to my writing process. To have them now scoring the world of Harry Hole feels both surreal and absolutely right.”

Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole will premiere on Netflix on March 26th. 

This morning, Netflix announced that the nine-episode serial killer mystery based on Jo Nesbø’s internationally bestselling Harry Hole series, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, will premiere globally on March 26th, 2026.

Tobias Santelmann stars as the iconic detective Harry Hole, joined by Joel Kinnaman as Tom Waaler and Pia Tjelta as Rakel Fauke, alongside an all-star ensemble cast including Anders Baasmo, Agnes Kittelsen, Frank Kjosås, Kelly Gale and Ellen Helinder.

Author, Creator and Executive Producer Jo Nesbø: “Finally we can reveal the premiere date and share this first look at Tobias Santelmann as Harry Hole. Seeing Tobias bring Harry to life has been really exciting and marks a new chapter for the character. I’m looking forward to sharing his take on Harry with the audience, and to have them join us for a truly dark and twisted journey.”

Directed by Øystein Karlsen and Anna Zackrisson, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is a tale of obsession, betrayal, and blurred lines between justice and revenge. As Harry Hole faces off with his nemesis Tom Waaler, audiences will be drawn into a game of cat and mouse where the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Today, Netflix announces that Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole has completed filming. The video above is the very first look of Tobias Santelmann as the legendary detective Harry Hole and Joel Kinnaman as Tom Waaler, in Harry’s shabby Oslo apartment. Shooting commenced on May 23 and has been shot in more than 160 locations over 113 days in Oslo including iconic Harry Hole locations like Harry’s favourite hangout Restaurant Schrøder and Frognerbadet.

Netflix also announces that Anders Danielsen Lie (The Worst Person in the World, Bergman Island), Ane Dahl Torp (Home Ground, Charter) and pop-singer Dagny (Home for Christmas) have joined the star-studded cast for the highly anticipated series.

Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole will premiere globally on Netflix in 2026.

It’s now official that Ellen Helinder, Kelly Gale, Agnes Kittelsen and Frank Kjosås are joining the star-studded cast of Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, Netflix’s forthcoming crime series based on the Harry Hole novels from Jo Nesbø.
Director Anna Zackrisson (Deliver Me, The Helicopter Heist) has also joined the production, which as previously reported, will star Tobias Santelmann, Joel Kinnaman and Pia Tjelta. Created and written by Nesbø, the show’s other director is Øystein Karlsen. The cast will also include Peter Stormare, Simon Berger and Anders Baasmo, among else.

Tor Arne Øvrebø is producing the series, which hails from Working Title Television and Universal International Studios. Executive producers include Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Katy Rozelle, Rene Ezra, Øystein Karlsen, Jo Nesbø, Niclas Salomonsson. The show is slated to debut on Netflix in 2026.

To read the full article in Deadline, please click ‘Read More’ below.

Norwegian actor Frank Kjosås (b. 1981) is one of today’s most interesting and versatile talents in Scandinavia.

Kjosås got his cinematic break in 2008 with House of Fools and Troubled Water, and his unique acting skills has since gotten him cast in significant roles in both films and TV shows, such as the immensely popular and awarded The Heavy Water: Stopping Hitler’s Atomic Bomb, EXIT and Halvbroren, for which he won both a Golden Screen and a Golden FIPA for ‘Best Actor’.

Kjosås has been widely admired for his chameleon-like acting abilites by critics and viewers alike and praised for his fascinating way of being able to switch expressions from warmth and innocence to threatening coldness in the blink of an eye.

2024 will see Kjosås in multiple film and TV productions including the Netflix drama Billionaire Island, hailed for its potential to be the Norwegian answer to the hit drama Succession, as well as Havnaa, the highly anticipated Norwegian film inspired by the gripping real-life story of the notorius boxing brothers Erling and Magne Havnaa.