This Spring's Biggest Crime Mystery is Solved - Netflix Unveils Who Will Take on the Role of Jo Nesbø's Harry Hole

Today, Netflix revealed the main cast and title of Jo Nesbø's highly anticipated crime series about the introverted detective Harry Hole. The live cast announcement happened at the iconic restaurant Schrøder in Oslo, Norway, which also serves as the "second home" of Harry Hole in the novels.

Tobias Santelmann (Exit, The Arctic Convoy) will lead the cast as the legendary detective Harry Hole, alongside Joel Kinnaman (Altered Carbon, The Suicide Squad) as Tom Waaler and Pia Tjelta (Made in Oslo, State of Happiness) as Rakel Fauke.

As a memorable entrance, the cast arrived in the cars they will drive in the series including a 1988 Ford Escort, Skoda Enyaq and a brand new Lotus Emira. During the press conference, Netflix confirmed the title of the coming Netflix series Jo Nesbø's Harry Hole and the main cast.

Created by one of the greatest storytellers in crime fiction, Jo Nesbø's Harry Hole is a whodunnit serial killer mystery led by famed anti-hero Harry Hole. Underneath the surface, this series 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 long time adversary and corrupt detective Tom Waaler. Harry is a brilliant but tormented homicide detective who struggles with his demons. As the two navigate the blurred ethical lines of the criminal justice system, Harry must do all he can to catch a serial killer and bring Waaler to justice before it is too late.

Tobias Santelmann, actor: "I am​ incredibly grateful for the trust I have been shown in getting to play Harry Hole​. I am​ very much aware​ of the huge global fan base and the millions of readers who love the character. For me, ​ it is about creating a Harry that people can both recognize and be surprised by. I can't wait for the shoot to start. It will be a true pleasure to work with everyone."

Jo Nesbø, author and creator: "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. 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."

Eric Fellner, Executive Producer, Working Title: "Working Title is thrilled to be working with Jo Nesbø and Øystein Karlsen to bring the legendary detective Harry Hole to life. To have assembled such an incredible cast of actors and crew is a testament to Jo's storytelling skills. Through the collaboration with our partners at Netflix, we're excited to share Jo and Øystein's vision not just in the Nordics, but around the world."

The series is produced by leading film and tv production company, Working Title, and will shoot on location in Oslo. Principal photography begins on May 23.

Cast: Tobias Santelmann, Joel Kinnaman and Pia Tjelta

Directors: Øystein Karlsen

Creator & Screenwriter: Jo Nesbø

Producer: Tor Arne Øvrebø

Executive producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Katy Rozelle, Rene Ezra, Øystein Karlsen, Jo Nesbø, Niclas Salomonsson

Production Company: Working Title Television

Studio: Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group

Release Date: 2026

www.netflix.com/harryhole

www.netflix.com/detectivehole

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About Jo Nesbø

Norwegian writer Jo Nesbø is regarded as one of the leading crime writers in the world. The #1 New York Times best-selling author's books have been translated into 50 languages, and by 2024, he had sold some 60 million copies worldwide and been distributed in 180+ territories around the world. He is recognized for having widened the scope of the thriller with his unusual literary qualities and ambitions, his psychological insights, and his in-depth knowledge of life in a modern, globalized world. Nesbø's books have garnered countless international awards.

About Working Title

Working Title, co-chaired by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, is one of the world's leading British production companies, producing well-loved and critically acclaimed film and TV for 40 years, from My Beautiful Laundrette and Four Weddings and a Funeral to recent film hits such as Ticket To Paradise, The Swimmers and TV series We Are Lady Parts, and the eagerly anticipated Too Much from Lena Dunham. The company has produced over 130 films and TV programmes, grossing over $8.5 billion worldwide, and won 14 Academy Awards, 10 Golden Globes, over 40 BAFTA Awards and numerous prestigious prizes at the Cannes and Berlin International Film Festivals.

About Netflix:

Netflix is one of the world's leading entertainment services, with 270 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.