Detective Harry Hole, one of the world’s most famous fictional detectives, will make his television debut next year. Netflix announced that the new series Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole will start streaming on March 26, 2026. The streaming service also shared the first official look at actor Tobias Santelmann as the iconic and troubled investigator.
Based on the bestselling novels by Norwegian author Jo Nesbø, the series will run for nine episodes. The story follows detective Harry Hole as he tries to catch a serial killer in Oslo while also fighting a corrupt officer within his own police department.
Casting the Iconic Detective and His Adversaries
The series features a major Scandinavian and international cast, led by Norwegian actor Tobias Santelmann as Harry Hole. Santelmann is known for roles in The Last Kingdom and the Norwegian series Exit. He will be joined by Swedish-American actor Joel Kinnaman, who plays Tom Waaler, a detective who is Harry’s main rival.
“Finally we can reveal the premiere date and share this first look at Tobias Santelmann as Harry Hole,” said author and series creator Jo Nesbø. “Seeing Tobias bring Harry to life has been really exciting and marks a new chapter for the character.”
Norwegian actress Pia Tjelta plays Rakel Fauke, Harry’s partner in the story. The supporting cast includes many well-known actors from Nordic film and television, such as Peter Stormare, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, and Anders Danielsen Lie. Pop singer Dagny also appears in the cast.
This is the second time the character has been adapted for the screen. Actor Michael Fassbender played Harry Hole in the 2017 film The Snowman.
A Story of Crime and Internal Corruption
The first season of the show adapts Nesbø’s fifth Harry Hole novel, The Devil’s Star, which was first published in 2003. The plot puts detective Harry Hole in a difficult position. He is trying to solve a series of murders committed by a serial killer, but he must also deal with a dangerous enemy inside the police force.
Netflix describes the show as a character drama about two police officers who are supposed to be colleagues but operate on opposite sides of the law. Harry is a brilliant detective who fights personal problems, while Tom Waaler uses his position for corruption.
Director and executive producer Øystein Karlsen told Netflix’s Tudum site, “It is a great mix of a fast-paced whodunit and a genuine drama with real people and lives the viewer can relate to — and it has more twists and turns than I can remember having seen in any thriller series.”
The story is set in Oslo, and the city itself is an important part of the show. The production filmed at over 160 different locations in the Norwegian capital, including Restaurant Schrøder, which is a known hangout for Harry in the books.
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Production Details and Global Release
The series is a major international production. The creative team includes director Øystein Karlsen, who previously worked with Nesbø on the series So Long, Marianne, and director Anna Zackrisson. Jo Nesbø serves as the creator, screenwriter, and showrunner.
Production company Working Title is producing the series for Netflix. Filming began in Oslo on May 23, 2024, and officially ended on December 6, 2024.
- Global Release Date: March 26, 2026
- Platform: Netflix
- Episode Count: 9
- Based On: The Devil’s Star by Jo Nesbø
All nine episodes of Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole will be available to stream at once on Netflix worldwide on the release date.
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