Today, Netflix revealed the main cast and title of Jo Nesbø’s highly anticipated crime series about the introverted detective Harry Hole. The live cast announcement happend at the iconic restaurant Schrøder in Oslo, Norway, which also serves as the “second home” of Harry Hole in the novels.

Tobias Santelmann (Exit, The Arctic Convoy) will lead the cast as the legendary detective Harry Hole, alongside Joel Kinnaman (Altered Carbon, The Suicide Squad) as Tom Waaler and Pia Tjelta (Made in Oslo, State of Happiness) as Rakel Fauke.

As a memorable entrance, the cast arrived in the cars they will drive in the series including a 1988 Ford Escort, Skoda Enyaq and a brand new Lotus Emira. During the press conference, Netflix confirmed the title of the coming Netflix series Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole and the main cast.

Created by one of the greatest storytellers in crime fiction, Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole is a whodunnit serial killer mystery led by famed anti-hero Harry Hole. Underneath the surface, this series is a nuanced character drama about two police officers – and supposed colleagues – operating on opposite sides of the law. Throughout the first season, Harry goes head-to-head with his longtime adversary and corrupt detective Tom Waaler. Harry is a brilliant but tormented homicide detective who struggles with his demons. As the two toe 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.

Tobias Santelmann, actor:

“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. I can’t wait for the shoot to start. It will be a true pleasure to work with everyone.”

Jo Nesbø, author and creator:

“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.”

Eric Fellner, Executive Producer, Working Title:

“Working Title is thrilled to be working with Jo Nesbø and Øystein Karlsen to bring the legendary detective Harry Hole to life. To have assembled such an incredible cast of actors and crew is a testament to Jo’s storytelling skills. Through the collaboration with our partners at Netflix, we’re excited to share Jo and Øystein’s vision not just in the Nordics, but around the world.”

The series is produced by leading film and tv production company, Working Title, and will shoot on location in Oslo. Principal photography begins on May 23.

Cast & Crew

Cast: Tobias Santelmann, Joel Kinnaman and Pia Tjelta

Directors: Øystein Karlsen

Creator & Screenwriter: Jo Nesbø

Producer: Tor Arne Øvrebø

Executive producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Katy Rozelle, Rene Ezra, Øystein Karlsen, Jo Nesbø, Niclas Salomonsson

Production Company: Working Title Television

Studio: Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group

Release Date: 2026

As one of the leading actors in Scandinavia today, Tobias Santelmann (b. 1980) has advanced from supporting roles in film and TV in his native Norway, to featured characters in major English-language productions. Born in Freiburg, Germany, Santelmann moved to Norway with his family as a child. He trained as an actor with the renowned Oslo National Academy of Dramatic Arts and then went on to join the ensemble at The Norwegian Theater in Oslo, performing classical and modern drama until 2012, whilst simultaneously taking on roles in film and TV.

Santelmann made his theatrical film debut in 2010 with Varg Veum: The Writing on the Wall. Roles on television preceded his turn as Norwegian explorer Knut Haugland in Academy Award nominated Kon-Tiki in 2012. Santelmann’s notable performance led to further significant roles in big Norwegian films, including The Congo Murders for which he was awarded both an Amanda Award and a Kanon Award for ‘Best Male Actor in a Leading Role’, as well as his English language debut in Hercules, playing the villainous warlord Rhesus opposite Dwayne Johnson’s mythical hero. Other noteworthy international appearances include a starring role as Young Ragnar in The Last Kingdom and supporting roles in Homeland, Marcella, and Those Who Kill, among else.

Santelmann’s more recent work include the role of Henrik Kranz, one of the leading characters in the Norwegian hit TV show EXIT, and the starring role as Crown Prince Olav alongside Kyle MacLachlan and Sofia Helin in International Emmy Award-winning Atlantic Crossing.
December 2024 will see the premiere of Havnaa, a Norwegian film inspired by the gripping real-life story of the notorius boxing brothers Erling and Magne Havnaa, where Santelmann plays the leading role of Erling Havnaa.