Is ‘Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole’ based on a book? Here’s what to know
The spring lineup is shaping up to be more intriguing by the minute, with Netflix unveiling new titles left and right. While it’s probably easy to lose sight of with so much waiting, for the thriller enthusiasts out there, the biggest takeaway in March is undoubtedly a gripping serial killer mystery, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, featuring the iconic Norwegian anti-hero.
Netflix previously released the teaser of Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole in anticipation of the show’s March 26th release, which offers viewers a glimpse of Tobias Santelmann as the legendary Detective Harry Hole.
Created by Jo Nesbø, the upcoming serial killer mystery centres on anti-hero Harry Hole, a genius detective who struggles with his own demons. Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is, at large, a character-driven drama focusing on two police officers and colleagues, each affiliated with the extreme opposite sides of the law.
Now, addressing the question on several minds about whether Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is based on a book, the answer is yes. The first season of the forthcoming Netflix series adapts the fifth book, The Devil’s Star, from Nesbø’s Harry Hole book series.
In the first season, viewers will see Harry constantly locking horns with his longtime nemesis, corrupt Detective Tom Waaler, as they steer the blurry lines of ethics and morality in the criminal justice system. However, spectators must also remember that a serial killer is on the loose at the same time, so expect double trouble.
In a conversation with Netflix, director Øystein Karlsen spoke of The Devil’s Star, saying, “It’s the first time the series starts viewing the story solidly from Harry’s perspective, it feels like, and it’s an incredible page-turner of a book… You will have to watch it twice to realise you could have figured it out along the way, but a beer on me at Schröder’s if anyone gets the whole plot before it ends — unless you’ve read the book, of course.”
“For me, storytelling isn’t about serving people what they think they want, but what they didn’t know they wanted. We will try to create something fresh, exciting, and surprising with respect to the book version of Harry,” added Nesbø, who also serves as a showrunner on Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole.
Santelman, who plays the iconic detective in Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, expressed gratitude for the opportunity while also stressing the importance for him to create a Harry that’s not only “recognisable,” but also “unexpected.” Nesbø added, “I’m guessing that all readers of the book series have their own vision of what Harry Hole would look like, and they should be allowed to keep that.”
“We will create a Harry that is based not only on the books but someone based on the actor Tobias Santelmann and everyone involved in this project – both in front and behind the camera,” he assured. While that’s promising enough, especially coming from the author and creator himself, as a reminder, don’t forget to save the date!