Jo Nesbø Takes the Reins as Showrunner for Netflix's 'Detective Hole'

Norwegian crime author Jo Nesbø has stepped into the role of showrunner for the new Netflix series "Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole," which recently premiered. Nesbø, renowned for his Harry Hole detective series and novels like "Headhunters," adapted all nine episodes of the show himself. His extensive literary catalog boasts over 60 million copies sold worldwide.

A Showrunner's Debut: An "Emotional Rollercoaster"

Nesbø characterized the three-year development of the series as an "emotional rollercoaster," particularly noting the absence of established showrunner traditions within Norwegian television. This marks his inaugural experience in such a capacity, a significant departure from previous adaptations of his work, including "Headhunters" (2011) and "The Snowman" (2017), where his creative oversight was considerably less.

Nesbø drew a clear distinction between authoring a novel, where he retains absolute control, and scriptwriting, which necessitates allowing for greater interpretation. He adopted a unique approach when adapting his own material:

"No respect for the author’s material."

This philosophy, he stated, facilitated significant alterations in the transition from page to screen.

Crafting Harry Hole for Television

The "Detective Hole" series brings Nesbø’s iconic character, Harry Hole, to life, portrayed by Tobias Santelmann. Joel Kinnaman takes on the role of Tom Waaler, Hole’s antagonist. The narrative unfolds in Oslo, a setting Nesbø deems crucial to the story, even likening it to a "Gotham City" interpretation of the actual city.

The adaptation primarily draws from "The Devil’s Star," the fifth book in the Harry Hole series, but also integrates elements from the two preceding novels. Nesbø clarified that while the series does not strive to be "faithful" to the books, viewers will unmistakably recognize its:

"Same DNA."

He also revealed that certain scenes and character depictions in the series are presented in a more "extreme" fashion than in the original novels. Initial reservations regarding Santelmann’s casting as Harry Hole, stemming from his perceived "warmth," were overcome after a subsequent audition showcased a distinctly different interpretation of the character.

From Literary Blanks to Visual Storytelling

Nesbø traces the origins of his storytelling back to childhood, listening to family narratives and composing rock lyrics. He emphasized the importance of empowering readers to:

"Fill out the blank spaces" in stories.

The transition to screenwriting presented its own set of challenges, requiring him to allow "pictures tell the story" rather than relying on extensive dialogue.

Beyond "Detective Hole," Nesbø's screenwriting portfolio includes two episodes of "So Long, Marianne." He also co-wrote "Blood on Snow," an upcoming film set to star Benedict Cumberbatch and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and "The Night House," a film currently in post-production featuring Aaron Paul and Jacob Tremblay.

Regarding his future literary endeavors, Nesbø recently published the standalone novel "Wolf Hour" and is nearing completion of another standalone novel. A 14th Harry Hole novel is also eagerly anticipated for release in the fall of this year. He noted that novel writing now demands more time due to increased research requirements.