What is Detective Hole about?

Detective Hole is a nine-episode Netflix series adapted from Norwegian crime author Jo Nesbo's bestselling novel The Devil's Star, part of the Harry Hole detective series. The show follows detective Harry Hole as he investigates a serial killer in Oslo who leaves a red diamond-shaped star near each victim. The series stars Tobias Santelmann as the brilliant but troubled Harry Hole and Joel Kinnaman as his corrupt colleague Tom Waaler. It combines intense criminal investigation with themes of personal demons and institutional corruption in Norwegian law enforcement.

Who stars in Detective Hole?

The series features a strong Scandinavian cast led by Tobias Santelmann as detective Harry Hole and Joel Kinnaman as his antagonistic colleague Tom Waaler. Santelmann is known for his roles in Kon-Tiki and The Last King, while Kinnaman gained international recognition through The Killing, RoboCop, and Suicide Squad. The supporting cast includes several acclaimed Nordic actors bringing depth to the Oslo police department setting and the dark world of the investigation.

Is Jo Nesbo involved in the series?

Yes, Jo Nesbo is deeply involved in the Detective Hole series, serving as both creator and showrunner. This marks a significant departure from previous adaptations of his work, such as the 2017 film The Snowman starring Michael Fassbender, which Nesbo was less involved in and which received poor reviews. By taking direct creative control, Nesbo ensures the series remains faithful to the tone, characters, and intricate plotting that have made his Harry Hole novels global bestsellers with over fifty-five million copies sold.

When does Detective Hole premiere?

Detective Hole premieres globally on Netflix on March 26, 2026. All nine episodes of the first season will be available to stream at once, following Netflix's typical full-season release model. The series was filmed primarily on location in Oslo, Norway, with additional shooting in surrounding regions to capture the atmospheric Nordic setting that is central to the story's mood and visual identity.

How does this compare to other Jo Nesbo adaptations?

Detective Hole represents the most ambitious and faithful adaptation of Jo Nesbo's work to date. The 2017 film The Snowman, despite starring Michael Fassbender, was critically panned due to production issues and a compressed storyline. By contrast, the nine-episode format gives Detective Hole room to develop the complex plotting and character relationships that define Nesbo's novels. With Nesbo himself as showrunner and accomplished Nordic directors Oystein Karlsen and Anna Zackrisson at the helm, the series addresses every criticism leveled at previous adaptations.

NETFLIXNordic Noir / EntertainmentMarch 2026

Detective Hole: Netflix Adapts Jo Nesbo's Crime Saga

Published: March 19, 2026

Netflix premieres Detective Hole on March 26, a nine-episode Nordic noir starring Tobias Santelmann and Joel Kinnaman, adapted from Jo Nesbo's The Devil's Star.

Premiere

Mar 26, 2026

Episodes

Source

The Devil's Star

Showrunner

Jo Nesbo

The Story

Detective Hole is a nine-episode adaptation of Jo Nesbo's The Devil's Star, one of the bestselling entries in the Harry Hole detective series. Set in Oslo, the story follows detective Harry Hole -- a brilliant investigator battling personal demons -- as he is assigned to investigate a series of mysterious murders.

Each victim is found with a red diamond-shaped star placed nearby, forming the killer's distinctive signature. As Harry digs deeper into the investigation, he uncovers disturbing connections to his colleague Tom Waaler, who appears linked to an underground arms trafficking ring.

With Tobias Santelmann as Harry Hole and Joel Kinnaman as Tom Waaler, the series promises the tension and psychological depth that Nesbo's fans expect, while introducing the story to new global audiences.

Suspect Board

Key clues and suspects in Harry Hole's investigation.

Investigation Board

Red diamond star

Found near every victim

Confirmed

Tom Waaler

Corrupt colleague - prime suspect

Suspect

First murder

Female victim, Grunerlokka district

Confirmed

Arms trafficking ring

Links traced to Tom Waaler

Suspect

Missing witness

Vanished after giving statement

Unknown

DNA evidence

Results don't match records

Unknown

Tobias Santelmann as Harry Hole -- Photo: Netflix Tudum

Cast & Crew

Jo Nesbo, the original author of the Harry Hole novel series with over 55 million copies sold worldwide, serves as both creator and showrunner. This is the first time Nesbo has taken direct control of adapting his work for screen, a significant departure from the 2017 film The Snowman.

Lead Cast

Tobias Santelmann

as Harry Hole

Joel Kinnaman

as Tom Waaler

Directors

Oystein Karlsen

Anna Zackrisson

9-Episode Release Schedule

All 9 episodes available to stream on Netflix from March 26, 2026.

E01

The Red Star

First victim discovered

Mar 26

E02

Oslo Shadows

Harry begins the investigation

E03

Man in the Dark

First suspect emerges

E04

Fractures

Connection to Waaler surfaces

E05

The Chain

Arms trafficking ring exposed

E06

Betrayal

A colleague cannot be trusted

E07

The Hunt

Harry becomes the hunted

E08

The Truth

Every secret is revealed

E09

Lockdown

Final confrontation

Detective Hole cast promotional photo -- Photo: Netflix Tudum

Why It Matters

After the failure of the 2017 film The Snowman, Jo Nesbo fans have waited for an adaptation worthy of the source novels. Detective Hole marks the first time Nesbo has taken direct control of the adaptation process, ensuring faithfulness to the plot and characters.

The nine-episode format allows for complex plot development and character building in ways a single film cannot achieve. With accomplished Nordic directors Oystein Karlsen and Anna Zackrisson, the series was filmed on location in Oslo, delivering the authentic setting and atmosphere distinctive to the Nordic noir genre.

▸ If Detective Hole succeeds, Netflix could adapt all 13 Harry Hole novels -- creating the next great Nordic noir franchise

▸ With 55M books sold, Harry Hole joins Sherlock Holmes and Jack Reacher as fiction's most iconic detectives

References

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common questions about Detective Hole on Netflix.

By Thao Nguyen · Culture & Entertainment Editor

Published: March 19, 2026 · Updated: March 25, 2026

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entertainment·Detective Hole Netflix · Jo Nesbo series · Harry Hole TV show · Nordic noir 2026