Netflix’s Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole: The Perfect True Detective Replacement?

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After a brilliant first season, True Detective lost its way, but a new crime thriller coming to Netflix has the potential to be its successor.

The first season of True Detective is still considered a standout achievement in the world of crime dramas. It wasn’t just another detective show; it went deeper, exploring themes of what it means to be a man, the unreliability of memory, and the breakdown of values, all set against the eerie and atmospheric landscape of the American South.

After its incredible first season, True Detective hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. Each season since has struggled to compare to that initial success. While we’ll have to wait and see if season 5 improves things, a new show coming to Netflix might just fill the void.

True Detective Season 1 Remains An Unmatched Detective Drama

Credit: HBO via MovieStillsDB

The first season of True Detective showcased Nic Pizzolatto’s skill as a novelist, delivering a haunting and deliberately paced story that builds suspense gradually. He created a sense of dread not just through the philosophical musings of Rust Cohle, but also through hints of a larger, unseen supernatural element.

Rather than resolving its mysterious elements, True Detective gradually transforms into a story reminiscent of H.P. Lovecraft, depicting a world where humanity crumbles under the weight of a cold, uncaring universe.

When it comes to characters with questionable morals, the leads in True Detective, Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, aren’t traditional heroes. They’re both deeply flawed individuals who slowly work on overcoming their personal issues while battling a larger evil. The complex relationship between them is a major focus of the show, but it’s Matthew McConaughey’s performance as Rust Cohle that elevates True Detective beyond a typical crime series, making it truly disturbing.

Rust feels incredibly authentic because Matthew McConaughey brilliantly portrays a character who is both cynical and hopeful, and who seems emotionally distant yet deeply aware of his surroundings.

Cary Joji Fukunaga, the show’s cinematographer, also deserves a lot of praise for the way he showed how the setting contributed to the story. Without the striking images of flooded shores, decaying factories, and Rust’s disturbing visions, True Detective wouldn’t have felt as deeply engaging, blurring the line between the harsh real world and the supernatural.

Even after all this time, True Detective is still the best of its kind. However, a new book adaptation coming to Netflix could finally give fans something similar to enjoy.

Netflix’s Adaptation of Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole Books Can Fill The Void True Detective Left Behind

I’m really excited to hear Netflix is finally tackling Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole books! The first season is going to be based on The Devil’s Star, which I understand is a pretty dark and twisty story. From what I’ve read, it sounds like they’re aiming for a similar vibe to the first season of True Detective – a complex case involving ritualistic murders that really pushes the detective, Harry, to his limits, both professionally and personally. It seems like it’s going to be a deep dive into some seriously messed-up crimes and a lot of internal struggle for the main character.

Detective Hole, similar to Rust Cohle, is a loner intensely focused on his cases, battling a severe alcohol problem. He frequently clashes with his coworkers and doesn’t get along with the established rules and procedures.

The new Netflix series, Detective Hole, based on Jo Nesbø’s work, probably won’t feature supernatural elements like True Detective, but it will blend criminal investigations with Norwegian folklore. Given the quality of the original stories and similarities to True Detective, Detective Hole has the potential to become a major hit crime drama for Netflix.

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2025-12-12 05:44