Jo Nesbø’s “Detective Hole” on Netflix: Why Tom Waaler Is the Villain We Love to Hate
It’s no secret that we Norwegians have a complicated relationship with seeing our own stories get the Hollywood treatment. We hold our breath every time someone tries 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 particular character: Tom Waaler.
The series, which has already been making waves internationally, delves into the dark world of Harry Hole (played by a phenomenal Tobias Santelmann). But for those of us who’ve been following the books since our secondary school days, 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 plot 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), 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 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 damn charming that you almost forget you hate him. Almost. Watching him go head-to-head with Santelmann is a real treat; 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 real: we’ve seen a thousand cop dramas. We know a twist is coming. But what makes this series, and specifically the Waaler character, so strong is the slow build-up. The series leans heavily into the tension developed in the books, especially leading up to what’s known in the book world as “The Devil’s Star.” Those who’ve read the books know that’s where the story truly explodes, and the series teases this masterfully.
There are three reasons Tom Waaler becomes the show’s biggest draw:
- The Charisma: Kinnaman doesn’t play him as a stereotypical villain. He’s the kind of guy you’d want to have a beer with, right up until you realise he’d probably swipe your wallet while you’re 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 a resource. That makes the betrayal sting so much more when it hits.
- Fidelity 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 highlighting Santelmann’s performance as Harry, and it’s well-deserved. But I think those of us who know the city, who know what it smells like in Oslo’s back alleys on a cold winter’s night, we appreciate the nuances of Waaler that much more. He’s not just a villain in a series; he’s part of what makes Nordic noir so unique – that 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 taking a kitchen break whenever Tom Waaler appears on screen. Every glance 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 road to the final confrontation – those of you who’ve read The Devil's Star know exactly what I’m talking about.