Netflix’s “gripping” new detective drama based on “legendary” Jo Nesbø books gets first-look trailer

Netflix released a gripping trailer for its new series based on Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole. The show stars actors you may recognize from “The Last Kingdom” and “For All Mankind.”

Harry Hole, played by Tobias Santelmann, is a detective at the heart of over a dozen novels by a very popular author. Some of the most well-known books in the series include The Bat, The Snowman, and the latest release, Killing Moon (2023).

This character first appeared in a live-action film in 2017’s adaptation of The Snowman, with Michael Fassbender in the role. However, the movie was poorly received by critics and didn’t perform well in theaters.

So, expectations weren’t very high for this new version, but Netflix’s ‘Detective Hole’ seems to be doing a good job of exceeding them with its accurate and immersive feel. A great start? They actually cast a Norwegian actor in the main role!

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Many UK viewers will recognize Alexander Santelmann from his role as Ragnar in the historical drama, The Last Kingdom, where he appeared in the first three seasons as the noble warrior.

The first season of Detective Hole, adapted from the novel The Devil’s Star, features Joel Kinnaman (known for his roles in For All Mankind and Peacemaker) as the villainous police officer, Tom Waaler. You can watch a sneak peek in the trailer here.

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Santelmann expressed his excitement about adapting Harry Hole for the screen, noting the detective is a beloved character who has resonated with readers globally for nearly three decades, and he feels privileged to be involved.

I came into this project as a huge fan of Jo Nesbø’s novels and with a lot of consideration for the dedicated readers who love Harry Hole. My hope is that we’ve made something that captures the essence of the books, but also feels like a strong story in its own right.

Actor Joel Kinnaman said that filming in Oslo, the city where Jo Nesbø’s books are set, adds a realness to the show that couldn’t be achieved anywhere else.

Working with Jo to delve into the more complex aspects of Harry’s story has been a truly fulfilling experience, and I’m thrilled to be a part of bringing it to life on screen.

The show also boasts impressive creative talent, including musicians Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, known for their work with the band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, who composed the music. They previously scored the film The Death of Bunny Munro, which was based on a novel by Nick Cave.

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

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig writes about scripted drama and comedy for TopMob, covering both television and streaming shows. Before joining TopMob, he worked at Starburst Magazine and hosted The Winter King Podcast on ITVX. He’s a journalism graduate from the University of Sheffield.

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2026-02-26 20:36