29/01/2026 - The new nine-part crime series, the first-ever smalll-screen adaptation of the Norwegian author’s novels focusing on Harry Hole, is helmed by Øystein Karlsen and Anna Zackrisson

Netflix has unveiled the first teaser-trailer for Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, marking the long-awaited small-screen debut of one of contemporary crime fiction’s most iconic characters. Produced by the UK’s Working Title, the nine-episode series will launch globally on 26 March.

The show represents the first-ever series adaptation of the novels by Jo Nesbø, which have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide, including 5.6 million in Norway alone – exceeding the country’s population. The adaptation signals a new chapter for the globally successful franchise, bringing Nesbø’s troubled anti-hero Harry Hole to the screen in long-form serial storytelling. The character was previously portrayed by Michael Fassbender in 2017's The Snowman [+see also:
trailer
film profile], a UK-Swedish-Norwegian-US co-production directed by Tomas Alfredson.

Tobias Santelmann leads the cast as the brilliant yet self-destructive homicide detective Harry Hole, joined by Joel Kinnaman as his long-time adversary, corrupt police officer Tom Waaler, and Pia Tjelta as Rakel Fauke. The ensemble also features a wide-ranging international cast including Anders Danielsen Lie, Peter Stormare, Jesper Christensen, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal and Ane Dahl Torp, among many others.

Nesbø, who serves as creator, screenwriter and executive producer, commented: “It’s been just great working with Tobias Santelmann and creating a Harry Hole that is fresh, but still true to the character and his universe in the novels. I’m really looking forward to presenting this Harry Hole to the audience.”

Santelmann added: “Stepping into Harry Hole’s shoes has been a tremendous honour and a thrilling challenge. Jo Nesbø’s world is so rich, and Harry is a truly complex character. I’m thankful for this opportunity, and I hope the audience will enjoy our Harry Hole. Bringing him to life, and working with everyone involved, has been a true privilege.”

Described as a “whodunnit serial-killer mystery layered with a psychological character study”, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole centres on two police officers operating on opposite sides of the law. As Harry Hole hunts a serial killer, he is simultaneously forced into a high-stakes moral and professional confrontation with Waaler, blurring the ethical boundaries of justice and loyalty. Beneath the genre framework, the series explores addiction, obsession and the personal cost of integrity within a compromised system.

The original score is composed by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, whose long-standing collaboration brings a distinctive musical identity to the series. Cave was recently Oscar-nominated for Best Original Song for Train Dreams.

The series is helmed by Øystein Karlsen (the series So Long, Marianne, Exit and Whitstable Pearl) and Anna Zackrisson (the series The Helicopter Heist [+see also:
series review
trailer
interview: Daniel Espinosa
series profile] and I dina hander). The producer is Tor Arne Øvrebø, with attached executive producers including Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Amelia Granger, Katy Rozelle, Rene Ezra, Karlsen, Nesbø and Niclas Salomonsson. The studio involved is Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole will premiere worldwide on Netflix on 26 March.

Check out the teaser below: