Stranger Things spotlight fades as Netflix’s new detective drama draws near-unanimous praise
stranger things may still dominate the conversation in one corner of streaming, but Netflix’s latest detective drama has pulled serious attention of its own. Detective Hole, released in March 2026, is earning a 92% approval rating and drawing critics into near unanimous agreement. The one concern still shadowing the series is its length, with many saying the nine-episode run slows the pace.
A Nordic noir arrival with major momentum
Detective Hole is adapted from author Jo Nesbø’s fifth Harry Hole novel, The Devil’s Star, and stars Tobias Santelmann as Harry Hole, a troubled Oslo police detective hunting a serial killer while watching his back around colleague Tom Waaler, played by Joel Kinnaman. Netflix introduced the nine-part series as part of its “Next on Nordic” presentation in Stockholm in March 2024, framing it as a major Nordic noir play.
The series also brings in an evocative score from Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, adding to the production’s dark, polished tone. For viewers tracking streamer crime dramas, Detective Hole is being positioned as a full-scale event series rather than a quiet release.
Critics praise the performances, but flag the runtime
The early response is strong, but not spotless. The main criticism is that nine episodes, each running close to a full hour, may be too much for the story’s own good. Critics describe the series as packed with crisscrossing narratives, misdirects, and a heavy roster of characters, which can make the middle stretch feel overstuffed.
One reviewer, Roger Ebert, said the show “stalls a bit in the middle” and “occasionally turns down some side roads that result in dead ends. ” JoBlo called it “a little long” and said it likely could have cut an episode or two to tighten the pace. The Killing Times also pointed to “noticeable drag, ” while The Times described it as “rollicking” despite the excess of plot and incident.
Near-unanimous approval still keeps the series in the conversation
Even with those complaints, the broader reaction remains firmly positive. Collider described Detective Hole as “a roundhouse-kick of a thrill ride, ” while The Telegraph singled out the work of Kinnaman and Santelmann, saying the characterisation is “top notch” and that their scenes together are the best thing in the series. That balance of strong performances and dense plotting is shaping the current response.
For Netflix, the result is a familiar but useful one: a title with enough critical heat to break through, even if it does not clear every hurdle perfectly. With Detective Hole now fully released and carrying a 92% approval rating, the conversation is likely to stay focused on whether the show’s strengths outweigh its long stretch of episodes.
What comes next for Detective Hole
The immediate next chapter is audience reaction over time, especially as more viewers work through all nine episodes. The key question is whether the series can hold its strong early reputation or whether the runtime becomes the dominant talking point. For now, Detective Hole remains one of Netflix’s most talked-about detective dramas, and stranger things has rarely looked more like a comparison point than a distraction.
