Jo Nesbø’s “Detective Hole” on Netflix: Why Tom Waaler Is the Villain We Love to Hate

It’s no secret that us Norwegians have a complicated relationship with seeing our own stories interpreted by Hollywood. We hold our breath every time someone decides to touch one of our literary treasures. But now that Jo Nesbø’s “Detective Hole” has landed on Netflix, we can finally breathe a sigh of relief – and it’s all down to one single character: Tom Waaler.

The series, which has already been creating quite a buzz internationally, delves into the dark world of Harry Hole (played by an outstanding Tobias Santelmann). But for those of us who’ve been following the books since our A-level days, there’s one thing that really stands out: the introduction of the magnetic, treacherous colleague, Tom Waaler. With Joel Kinnaman in the role, we’ve been given a villain who sends shivers down your spine, long before we even reach the events of Nemesis or the explosive climax of The Devil's Star.

From Page to Screen: Who Is Tom Waaler?

For those of you who haven’t read The Devil's Star: A Novel (or “Marekors”, as we know it best in Norwegian), let me give you a quick rundown without spoiling too much. Tom Waaler isn’t just a colleague of Harry’s; he’s the slick, charismatic polar opposite. While Harry struggles with the bottle and his inner demons, Waaler represents order – but we, the readers, know that lurking behind that façade is one of the most calculating and dangerous figures in Oslo’s underworld. He’s a cop on the outside and a criminal mastermind on the inside.

Kinnaman captures this duality in a way I didn’t think was possible. He’s so bloody charming that you almost forget you hate him. Almost. Watching him and Santelmann play off each other is an absolute joy; it’s like watching two wolves pretending to be dogs while secretly sizing each other up to see who’ll go for the throat first.

Why It Works So Bloody Well

Let’s be honest: we’ve seen a thousand police dramas. We know a twist is coming. But what makes this series, and particularly the Waaler character, so strong is the slow-burn build-up. The series leans heavily on the tension built up in the books, especially leading into what’s known in the book universe as “The Devil’s Star”. Those who’ve read the books know that this is where the story truly explodes, and the series hints at this masterfully.

There are three reasons why Tom Waaler is shaping up to be the series’ biggest draw:

• The Charisma: Kinnaman doesn’t play him as a stereotypical baddie. He’s the kind of bloke you’d fancy having a pint with, right up until you realise he’d probably nick your wallet while you popped to the loo.
• The Depth: Unlike a lot of “must-have villains” in today’s crime dramas, the writers give us time. We get to see Waaler as part of the team, as an asset. It makes the betrayal sting all the more when it comes.
• The Loyalty to the Source Material: They haven’t tried to “modernise” him or turn him into an “anti-hero” with a tragic backstory. He’s simply the conniving bastard Nesbø wrote, and it’s refreshing.

I’ve seen a few critics outside Norway praising Santelmann’s performance as Harry, and it’s well-deserved. But I suspect those of us who know the city, who know what it smells like in Oslo’s back alleys on a cold winter’s night, appreciate the details of Waaler that much more. He’s not just a villain in a series; he’s part of what makes Norwegian crime fiction so unique – the eternal struggle between order and chaos, where the lines are often blurred.

If you haven’t seen the series yet: do it. And don’t make the mistake of nipping to the kitchen for a brew whenever Tom Waaler appears on screen. Every look he gives Harry, every smile that doesn’t reach his eyes, is a harbinger of the storm to come. I’m already looking forward to seeing how they handle the path towards the final confrontation – those of you who’ve read The Devil's Star know exactly what I’m talking about.