Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is based on the book by Norwegian writer Jo Nesbø and is currently the second most-watched TV series on Netflix

etflix viewers who tuned into the latest Nordic noir, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, have been hooked since its release on Thursday.

The addictive crime thriller, based on Norwegian writer Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole book series, follows homicide detective Harry as he battles his inner demons while tracking down a mysterious serial killer.

Tobias Santelmann bring Harry to life© Courtesy of Netflix
Tobias Santelmann bring Harry to life

The nine-part season adapts Nesbø’s fifth novel, The Devil’s Star, and follows the 2017 film The Snowman, starring Michael Fassbender, which was based on the seventh book in the series.

Since landing on the streamer less than a week ago, Detective Hole has already stormed the charts and is currently the second most-watched TV show worldwide, behind Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen.

With Tobias Santelmann delivering a gripping lead performance as Harry, and BAFTA-winning producers Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner (behind Atonement, Bridget Jones’s Diary and Les Misérables) at the helm, it’s no surprise the series has proved such a hit with viewers.

What are viewers saying about Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole?

The show has been a hit with audiences, earning a 100 per cent critics’ score and a 79 per cent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Viewers quickly took to social media to share their thoughts, with many praising Tobias’s performance and calling it one of the best Netflix series in recent years.

“I started on Thursday, finished it yesterday. I just couldn’t stop watching,” said one person on Rotten Tomatoes, while another added: “I binge-watched the entire series over three days. Finally a reason to keep the Netflix subscription. Where is season two???? Can’t wait!”

Viewers are already calling for a season 2© Courtesy of Netflix
Pia Tjelta plays Rakel Fauke

Meanwhile, one viewer on IMDb wrote: “When I talk about a crime series, this is how I imagine it to be. Great acting, great plot, an amazing work with storytelling and really reliable stories. I never had heard about Harry Hole but now I know that it’s amazing and I’m gonna read the books.”

Another added: “If you like European moody aesthetic, intelligent narrative and exceptional performances. This is for you. As someone who has actually read the Harry Hole series and is a big fan. This series and particularly the casting of Tobias Santelmann brought Harry to life. Thank you.”

What is Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole about?

Based on Nesbø’s fifth novel, Detective Hole is a ‘whodunnit’ serial killer mystery centred on Harry Hole, a brilliant but troubled detective.

The synopsis reads: “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.

Tobias Santelmann as Harry Hole and Joel Kinnaman as Tom Waaler © Courtesy of Netflix
Tobias Santelmann as Harry Hole and Joel Kinnaman as Tom Waaler

“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.”

Who stars in Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole?

Tobias Santelmann (Exit, The Arctic Convoy) stars as Detective Harry Hole, while Joel Kinnaman (Altered Carbon, The Suicide Squad) plays his adversary, Tom Waaler.

Agnes Kittelsen plays Agnes Sjolid© Courtesy of Netflix
Agnes Kittelsen plays Agnes Sjolid

They are joined by Pia Tjelta (Made in Oslo, State of Happiness) as Rakel Fauke, Anders Danielsen Lie (The Worst Person in the World, Bergman Island), Ane Dahl Torp (Home Ground, Charter) and pop singer Dagny (Home for Christmas).

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