Anyone currently on the hunt for a new crime thriller to binge-watch may want to divert their attention to Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole, which is currently streaming on Netflix. The nine-part drama, adapting the fifth book in Jo Nesbø’s bestselling Harry Hole literary series, The Devil’s Star, was added to the streaming service in its entirety on Mar. 26, and instantly drew critical acclaim, resulting in a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on early reviews, which could potentially pave the way for additional seasons in the future. Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole is described by Netflix as a twisty Nordic “noir thriller,” headlined by Tobias Santelmann, playing lead character Harry Hole, a brilliant but self-destructive detective, and Joel Kinnaman as his long-time nemesis and primary rival, the highly skilled but deeply corrupt detective Tom Waaler, leading to a tense cat-and-mouse dynamic between the two, as they slink around the shadowy streets of Oslo on the trail of a serial killer who is terrorizing the Gotham-like city, per the official plot description below:
“Created by Nesbø, one of the greatest storytellers in crime fiction, the series is a whodunit serial killer mystery led by famed antihero Harry Hole, a brilliant but tormented homicide detective who struggles with his demons. Underneath the surface, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is a nuanced character drama about two police officers — and supposed colleagues — operating on opposite sides of the law. Throughout the first season, Harry goes head-to-head with his longtime adversary, the corrupt Detective Tom Waaler, as the two navigate the blurred ethical lines of the criminal justice system. But only time will tell whether Harry can catch the serial killer –– while also bringing Tom to justice –– before it’s too late.”

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At the time of writing, Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole holds a rare 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics calling it a “roundhouse-kick of a thrill ride.” The percentage could fluctuate as more people deliver their verdict on Netflix’s newest mystery, as only seven reviews have contributed to that score so far, but as it stands, it seems that those who have watched it are all in agreement over its quality. The perfect score also marks a significant redemption for the franchise following the poorly received 2017 film adaptation, The Snowman, starring Michael Fassbender, which sits at just 7% on the popular review aggregator site. Unlike the previous attempt, critics are praising Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole as a faithful adaptation, which Anita Singh of Daily Telegraph attributes to Nesbø’s direct involvement with the crime drama, as she noted in her review, “The author has written the TV adaptation himself, so the result is true to his vision and will satisfy fans, particularly those dismayed by the 2017 Michael Fassbender film version that bombed at the box office.” Irish Independent’s Pat Stacey agreed that the series hugely outshines the film, writing:
“This is an altogether tastier kettle of pickled herring than the film. It puts the character – a brilliant, driven, temperamental, introverted loner who struggles with alcoholism and depression – back on the right track.”

Tobias Santelmann as Harry Hole in Jo Nesbo’s Detective HoleNetflix

Reviewers lauded the vibe of Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole, with FandomWire’s M.N. Miller describing it as a “stylish, gritty, and suspenseful” example of a “Nordic noir done right,” and Heaven of Horror’s Karina Adelgaard calling it “a gorgeous viewing experience.” Others raved about the stellar performances of Santelmann and Kinnaman, noting that they anchored the drama down, helping it to “earn its place among the better crime thriller adaptations on streaming right now,” according to Screen Rant’s Dhruv Sharma. Kelcie Mattson of Collider suggested that the television adaptation doesn’t miss a beat, writing in her review:
“A roundhouse-kick of a thrill ride that lives up to the promises baked into the thriller subgenre’s name, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole delivers virtually everywhere it should — which is nothing less than what a modern legend deserves.”
Richard Roeper, writing on behalf of RogerEbert.com, recognized the potential for the series to expand beyond its first season, saying, “It could upgrade from good to great if it goes a bit leaner, a bit more focused.” As of now, Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole has not been renewed for a second season, but there is a wealth of source material (13 existing novels and a 14th on the way) for the series to establish itself as a long-running staple of the gritty detective genre, if Netflix so wishes. The streamer will no doubt be monitoring viewership metrics before making a final decision, but the show’s early reviews stand it in good stead for franchise growth.

All nine episodes of Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole are now streaming on Netflix.

Release Date

March 26, 2026

Network

Netflix

Directors

Øystein Karlsen

Cast

Tobias Santelmann

Det. Harry Hole