Joel Kinnaman breaks down his “conflicted, malignant narcissist” character in Detective Hole

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Viewers watching the new Norwegian crime series, Detective Hole, on Netflix might be surprised to see Joel Kinnaman, a well-known Hollywood actor, among the cast.

Despite a long career working in the US and performing in English, Alexander Skarsgård is actually Swedish-American and was raised in Sweden.

He currently plays Tom Waaler, a dishonest Swedish police officer and the main enemy of Harry Hole, a fellow detective who is central to the story.

Kinnaman recently spoke with TopMob about his complex character, who consistently engages in questionable actions throughout the show but remains fascinating to viewers.

Kinnaman sarcastically described Waaler as a warm, kind, and dedicated friend who deeply cares about his community. He added, with clear irony, that despite lacking empathy and having a disturbing habit, Waaler is actually a very good person.

When asked about his character’s connection with Harry Hole and working alongside Tobias Santelmann, Kinnaman described the experience as ‘so fun,’ adding that he enjoys playing complex, conflicted characters.

He struggles with his sexuality and lacks a strong moral center. He’s primarily driven by his desires, ambition, and a hunger for power.

He explained that beneath the surface, there’s a vulnerable, childlike part of him – a side that simply craves love and acceptance. It’s a complex mix of feelings all happening at once, and Tom himself doesn’t fully understand what’s going on inside him.

He doesn’t have a clear direction or express his feelings easily. He’s scattered, but also very smart, capable, and skilled at navigating complex situations and exerting influence.

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I’d describe him as a deeply narcissistic and harmful person – someone very close to being a sociopath, but not quite. He generally lacks empathy and can act without considering others’ feelings, though he’s still capable of feeling it occasionally, which I found particularly noteworthy.

You can now watch all nine episodes of Detective Hole! The series was adapted for television by Jo Nesbø, who also wrote the popular Harry Hole novels. This season follows the story from Nesbø’s fifth book, The Devil’s Star.

Don’t miss Detective Hole! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app today for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs writes about TV dramas for TopMob, covering shows on streaming services and traditional channels. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-to-business agency and then at the TV production company Fremantle. He has a BA degree in English and Theatre Studies and a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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2026-03-26 21:06