The Harry Hole series has reached number 1 in 29 countries on Netflix, establishing itself as one of the most notable premieres on the platform in the realm of non-English language series. With an impressive perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, this adaptation of the famous literary saga by Norwegian author Jo Nesbø has captured the attention of both critics and viewers.
Harry Hole has been dominating in books for years
Harry Hole begins his narrative from the fifth novel in the series, which has left many fans of the character wondering about future plans for his development. The story follows a detective from Oslo, played by Tobias Santelmann, who is on the hunt for a serial killer while resolving conflicts with his old enemy, the corrupt cop Tom Waaler, played by Joel Kinnaman. This duality in the plot offers an intriguing backdrop, a hallmark of Nordic thrillers that have captivated international audiences.
The success of Harry Hole is also due to remarkable positive word of mouth among viewers, which has increased its popularity week after week. The first season consists of only 9 episodes and is not being promoted as a miniseries, which fosters expectations for a possible continuation. This approach clearly contrasts with the previous film adaptation, The Snowman, which was a failure both commercially and artistically. The series, however, promises to be a more faithful and effective representation of the famous detective.
With his rising appeal, Harry Hole not only positions himself as a key component of the Nordic thriller tradition, but also emerges as a pillar in Netflix’s offerings, capable of attracting a wide spectrum of audiences and revitalizing interest in Jo Nesbø’s narrative.
