Harry Hole is back: Why “The Devil’s Star” is the most anticipated series of the year

The silence has been deafening. For those of us who’ve followed Jo Nesbø’s bloodhound from page one, who’ve seen the film adaptations come and go, the craving for Harry Hole has been a constant ache in the gut. But now, bloody hell. The burnt-out, brilliant, always unpredictable detective is back on the screen – and he’s brought a story that makes every other crime show from last year look pale.

A man on the edge

Let’s be real – no one actually expected Harry Hole to show up with polished shoes and a freshly ironed shirt. This time, word is he’s more ragged than ever: a shadow of himself, weighed down by failures and old sins. And just when everyone’s written him off, whispers in the corridors say he’s the only one who can crack the impossible case of “The Devil’s Star”. That’s the magic contrast I’ve missed most: a hero who’s completely bloody broken, yet absolutely indispensable.

Ellen Helinder takes over – and chaos follows

The TV industry’s been buzzing for months, and now it’s confirmed: Ellen Helinder is playing Beate Lønn. For those of us who’ve read the books, Lønn is no sidekick. She’s a thorn in the side, a moral compass pointing in every direction at once. Helinder, with her ability to be both tender and terrifyingly intense, is going to tear down walls. I saw her at Dramaten a few years back, and her presence on stage is raw power. Watching her go head-to-head with Harry Hole will be like unleashing two storms in the same room.

Demons in the light – Joel Kinnaman’s reality

It’s no secret that actors at this level pay a price. Joel Kinnaman – who many of us remember from his earlier hard-boiled roles – has been open about his own struggles. He’s talked about how psychedelics have helped him deal with his inner demons and perform when the pressure’s at its peak. Hearing that, I can’t help but see the parallels with Harry Hole. The character and the actor mirror each other – both fighting the same darkness, just on opposite sides of the camera. That honesty rubs off on screen, I guarantee it.

What makes “The Devil’s Star” a must-watch

Plenty have tried to capture Nesbø’s raw, Norwegian melancholy, but most have failed. This production – which, word on the street is, draws inspiration from the new wave of dark action thrillers – isn’t just aiming to tell a story. It’s building an entire world. Here are the four ingredients that make me think this will be the best version of Harry Hole yet:

• The fights feel real: No ballet. Just bruises and breathlessness.
• The dynamic with Beate Lønn: Not a subplot, but the very heart of the drama.
• No censorship: They’ve dared to keep the depressing, complicated and downright uncomfortable bits.
• Hellish pacing: No filler. Every scene lands like a punch.

So here’s the deal: if you’ve ever liked a good crime story, or just want to watch a man wrestle his own ghosts while hunting a serial killer, there’s only one place to go. Harry Hole is back – angrier, uglier and more fascinating than ever. Get ready for “The Devil’s Star”. This one’s going to sting, in the best possible way.