Netflix announced today the title and main cast for its new Nordic noir crime drama series Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole.
Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole.
Like Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire and Harlan Coben’s Shelter, it’s a title that lets you know straight off that the show is an adaptation of a Jo Nesbø novel. And why not? Nesbø, a #1 New York Times best-selling author, is regarded as one of the leading crime writers in the world — with his works having been translated into 50 languages and, by 2024, having sold some 60 million copies globally and been distributed in 180+ territories around the world.
Playing Nesbø’s iconic introverted Norwegian detective Harry Hole is… (drum roll)… Tobias Santelmann (Exit, Beforeigners, Atlantic Crossing, Acquitted, The Heavy Water War).
Starring alongside Santelmann are Joel Kinnaman (For All Mankind, The Killing, Johan Falk) as Tom Waaler, Harry’s cop colleague, and Pia Tjelta (Made in Oslo, State of Happiness, Beck) as Rakel Fauke, Harry’s girlfriend.
Created and written by Jo Nesbø, Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole is a serial killer mystery led by famed anti-hero Harry Hole. Beneath the whodunit surface, the series is a nuanced character drama about two police officers — and supposed colleagues — operating on opposite sides of the law.
Throughout the first season, which is based on The Devil’s Star, the fifth title in Nesbø’s “Harry Hole” crime novel series, Harry goes head-to-head with his long time adversary, the corrupt detective Tom Waaler. Harry himself 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’s too late.
Said Tobias Santelmann:
“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, series creator, and newly-minted scriptwriter, commented:
“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 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.”
Directing the series is Øystein Karlsen (Exit, Whitstable Pearl). Tor Arne Øvrebø (Succession) is the producer, and Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Katy Rozelle, Rene Ezra, Øystein Karlsen, Jo Nesbø, and Niclas Salomonsson the executive producers.
Producing the series is Working Title Television, the British TV production company that brought us the series Hanna, London Spy, and We Are Lady Parts, to name just a few.
Principal photography begins May 23 in Oslo.
Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole is slated to premiere globally in 2026 (date tba). You can set a reminder for it now on the show’s page at www.netflix.com/harryhole or www.netflix.com/detectivehole.
Stay tuned for updates.
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“Harry Hole” novels by Jo Nesbø
