Netflix recently delivered its perfect R-rated “answer” to Prime Video’s Bosch. The R-rated show in question is easily one of the best crime thrillers of 2026 and even has the potential to last as long as Bosch if given the opportunity. Although the show in question has not been officially renewed, its return still seems possible.
Based on Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole books, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole on Netflix is a Norwegian crime drama that follows the crime-solving exploits of the titular detective. The first season of the Netflix show adapts the fifth book, The Devil’s Star, from Jo Nesbø’s original book series. After its premiere, the show mostly received positive reviews from viewers and critics and holds a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score.
A closer look at Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole on Netflix reveals how it shares many similarities with Prime Video’s Bosch. While riffing on many procedural tropes that drive acclaimed crime thrillers like Bosch, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole adds its own layer of grit and Nordic noir sensibilities that allow it to etch its own identity in the genre. It is these elements that ultimately allow it to become one of Netflix’s better crime thriller shows.
Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole On Netflix Is Easily One Of 2026’s Best Crime Thrillers
Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole on Netflix is, by no means, a perfect crime thriller like Bosch. It seems a little too over-the-top at times and even its characters are intentionally more gimmicky. However, the show is brilliantly driven by its cast’s incredible performances.
While Tobias Santelmann does a brilliant job of making his titular character both flawed and rootable, Joel Kinnaman delivers a chilling performance as the show’s villain.
Even when it comes to the overarching murder mystery in the series, the eventual payoff towards the end is quite satisfying and unpredictable. Similar to some of the best crime thrillers like True Detective, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole also does not shy away from bending its genre and hinting at the existence of the supernatural.
The show’s pacing, too, remains consistent throughout its runtime as it keeps finding new creative ways to keep viewers invested. A handful of other compelling crime thrillers, like Cross season 2, Scarpetta, and Young Sherlock, have also come out in 2026. Later this year, Reacher season 4 and the Neagley spin-off show will also land on Prime Video.
Although it seems likely that Reacher season 4 will outperform all other shows of the genre this year, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole will still hold its place as one of the better crime thriller adaptations of 2026. Like Reacher and Bosch, it has already etched a unique identity for itself and has the potential to grow its audience from strength to strength with more future installments.
Detective Hole Has The Potential To Become Netflix’s Answer To Bosch
Similar to Reacher and Cross, even Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole book series was previously picked for a big-screen adaptation. The Hollywood movie adaptation, titled Snowman, even had a promising cast including names like Michael Fassbender, Val Kilmer, and Rebecca Ferguson, among others. Despite this, however, the movie failed both critically and commercially.
Like Reacher, Bosch, and Cross, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole has proven that some crime thriller books are better off getting small-screen adaptations.
Since Detective Hole season 1 only adapts one book from the original series, the Netflix series can choose from the remaining Harry Hole novels to steadily expand its story. Given how there are more than 10 books in the original series, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole can last as long as Reacher and Bosch if given the chance.
Netflix has not made official announcements surrounding its renewal so far. Owing to this, the show’s future remains uncertain. However, after watching its season 1, it is hard not to be hopeful that it will get the same treatment as Bosch and get the opportunity to tell more stories from its source material.