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 get the Hollywood treatment. We hold our breath every time someone decides to adapt 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 character: Tom Waaler.

The series, which has already been making waves internationally, delves into the dark world of Harry Hole (played by a brilliant Tobias Santelmann). But for those of us who’ve been following the books since high school, one thing really stands out: the introduction of the magnetic, treacherous colleague Tom Waaler. With Joel Kinnaman in the role, we’ve got a villain who sends shivers down your spine, long before we even get to the events of Nemesis or the explosive finale 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, let me give you a quick rundown without spoiling too much. Tom Waaler isn’t just a colleague of Harry’s; he’s his slick, charismatic polar opposite. While Harry grapples with the bottle and his inner demons, Waaler represents order – but we readers know that behind the facade lurks one of the most calculating and dangerous figures in the Oslo 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 damn charming that you almost forget you’re supposed to hate him. Almost. It’s a joy to watch him and Santelmann play off each other; it’s like watching two wolves pretending to be dogs, all while sizing each other up to see who’ll go for the throat first.

Why It Works So Damn Well

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

There are three reasons Tom Waaler is the show’s biggest draw:

• The Charisma: Kinnaman doesn’t play him as a stereotypical villain. He’s the kind of bloke you’d want to grab a beer with, right up until you realise he’d probably pinch your wallet while you got up to use the loo.
• The Depth: Unlike many “must-have” villains in today’s crime dramas, the writers give us time. We see Waaler as part of the team, as an asset. That makes the betrayal so much more painful 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 sad backstory. He’s simply the cunning 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 reckon 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 even more. He’s not just a villain in a series; he’s part of what makes Nordic noir so unique – the eternal struggle between order and chaos, where the lines are often blurred.

If you haven’t watched the series yet: do it. And don’t make the mistake of popping out to the kitchen when 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.