Joel Kinnaman’s Netflix Crime Thriller: Repeats His Disappointing Cyberpunk Trend

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Be warned – this article reveals key plot points from the Netflix series Detective Hole, based on Jo Nesbø’s novels. While it’s great to see Joel Kinnaman in a new Netflix crime thriller, the show unfortunately follows the same downward trajectory as his previous cyberpunk series.

Joel Kinnaman has proven to be a remarkably versatile actor, seamlessly moving between intense science fiction and lighthearted superhero roles recently. Now, he’s adding another dimension to his talent with a leading role in a new crime thriller on Netflix.

The show has generally received positive feedback from both audiences and critics, and it appears to be doing well on Netflix. However, it’s a shame that it seems to be repeating a pattern for the actor, one that started with his popular cyberpunk series on the same platform.

Like Altered Carbon Season 2, Detective Hole’s Next Installment Will Not Mark Joel Kinnaman’s Return

The first season of Netflix’s Altered Carbon really impressed viewers. It successfully drew people in with its detailed and captivating depiction of a futuristic, cyberpunk world – a world filled with both advanced technology and gritty street life. Despite being made for television, the show did a fantastic job of creating a believable, neon-lit future where social class dramatically impacts everything.

A major strength of Altered Carbon was Joel Kinnaman’s performance as the lead. The Swedish-American actor perfectly captured Takeshi Kovacs’s reserved nature and resentment towards the wealthy. In fact, the show wouldn’t have been nearly as compelling without him.

Season two of the show saw Anthony Mackie take over from Joel Kinnaman. While Mackie did a good job as the lead in the new season of the cyberpunk series, viewers definitely missed Kinnaman. This change, along with other factors, made the second season feel weaker than the first, and eventually led to the show being canceled.

Joel Kinnaman stars in Netflix’s new crime thriller, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, but this time he’s playing the villain, not the hero. His character, Tom Waaler, is a detective who has lost his moral compass and will do anything to get what he wants.

Joel Kinnaman is captivating as Tom Waaler in Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, brilliantly portraying a character with both darkness and moral ambiguity. He’s so good, in fact, that you often find yourself eagerly anticipating his scenes. It’s a shame, then, that his character meets an untimely end in the show’s finale.

The way his character ended in the show suggests that Tom Waaler won’t be back if Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole gets a second season. Similar to Takeshi Kovacs in Altered Carbon, it appears he was only cast as Tom Waaler for the first season of Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole.

Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole Still Has Another Great Lead

Tobias Santelmann, who plays the lead role in Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, is a captivating presence. While not as outright malicious as Tom Waaler, his character is deeply flawed. He battles a severe alcohol problem and has trouble maintaining relationships, and his addiction tragically led to a colleague’s death in the past.

Santelmann delivers a compelling performance as Detective Harry Hole, skillfully portraying the character’s inner turmoil and hidden personal battles.

If Netflix renews the crime thriller Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole for a second season, Mikkel Folkvardt Santelmann will definitely be back as the main character. While his return is expected, the show will still feel the impact of Joel Kinnaman’s departure, similar to how Altered Carbon changed after he left following its first season.

I’m really hoping the Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole series handles things differently than the Netflix cyberpunk show! There’s a chance they could bring Joel Kinnaman back as Harry’s past through flashbacks, which would be awesome. Or, and this is a cool thought, they could show him as a sort of mental image, maybe representing Harry’s guilt. Either way, I’d love to see Kinnaman involved somehow!

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2026-04-01 06:08