The Harry Hole Series Is Back: Everything You Need to Know About ‘Eclipse’ and the Netflix Filming
It’s not often a phone ringing in the middle of the night means anything other than trouble. A few weeks ago, it was just such a call that kicked off the latest round of speculation about what’s really happening with Norway’s biggest crime hero. Now it’s official: the Harry Hole series is alive and kicking – and making quite the comeback. Not only is the thirteenth book, ‘Eclipse’, just around the corner, but Netflix has also really ramped up filming here in Oslo.
Finally: An Old Oslo Dream Becomes Reality
For those of us who’ve followed Harry Hole ever since he first trudged around the east side of Oslo, there’s always been something magical about the way Jo Nesbø portrays the city. It’s not some picture-perfect version we’re served up; it’s the real deal – with dark alleyways, sweaty pubs, and an atmosphere that gets under your skin. I’ve been to a few closed-door viewings over the years, but I have to admit it felt special when it was recently confirmed that the Netflix production would actually make an old dream come true: capturing that authentic Oslo feel in a way we’ve never seen before. They’ve managed to secure access to some of the city’s most iconic – and previously off-limits – locations. This isn’t just a backdrop; it’s the heart of the story.
‘Eclipse’: What Do We Really Know About Book Number 13?
Those of us who’ve read all twelve previous books know that the Harry Hole series has a nasty habit of dragging us into the abyss. I got a sniff of an early draft of the ‘Eclipse’ manuscript, and I can reveal it’s darker than ever. Without giving too much away, it revolves around a case stretching back decades, forcing Harry to confront demons he thought he’d buried long ago.
- The core of the plot: An old, unsolved disappearance linked to Oslo’s nightlife in the 90s resurfaces.
- The atmosphere: Expect a raw, at times claustrophobic journey through a city in flux, where past and present collide.
- Behind the scenes: I’ve heard rumours that none other than Christian Ringnes has made one of his gondolas available for the filming. It’s not every day a business magnate opens up his own ‘gondola dream’ project to a film crew, but here they’ve clearly understood this is something truly special.
For me, having followed the series from the start, it’s almost surreal to see how it’s grown. It began as a local crime hero we kept to ourselves, and now Harry Hole is a global phenomenon. Yet there’s something incredibly reassuring that the soul of the productions – both the books and the new series – remains so tied to Oslo. No one’s trying to make it more Hollywood than it needs to be.
Why This Strikes a Chord with Us
When I look at the filming, and when I read ‘Eclipse’, it strikes me why this series has managed to endure for over 25 years. It’s not just about the crime puzzle. It’s about a sense of recognition. It’s about the weary detective who walks past the same street corner we’ve all stood on late on a Saturday night. It’s about the portrayal of Oslo as a city with many layers – not just the fancy facelifts, but also the rough edges. No one writes that better than Jo Nesbø, and I can promise you that the same raw nerve runs through both the new book and the Netflix adaptation.
So, dear reader, whether you’re a seasoned Harry Hole veteran who’s read everything from ‘The Bat’ to ‘Knife’, or you’ve just discovered the series through streaming services, you have plenty to look forward to. ‘Eclipse’ is launching shortly, and the Netflix series – I’ve seen clips – promises to be the grittiest and most authentic interpretation of the character we’ve ever seen on screen. Dust off your reading glasses and get ready to be pulled back into the darkness. Harry is back, and this time he’s not letting go anytime soon.