Prime Video reigns supreme in the “dad shows” space with TV series likeReacher, but Netflix might have found the perfect response to its genre dominance with an upcoming book adaptation. When it comes to most TV genres, Netflix seems far ahead of its streaming competitors in terms of producing quality content and delivering consistent hits.
However, when it comes to “dad shows,” Prime Video seems to have carved a strong identity withshows likeReacher,Jack Ryan,Bosch, andCross. The streamer is all set to increase its dad show dominance with several new titles in the near future, but Netflix, too, might be able to give it a run for its money.
WithThe Night Agent’s success, Netflix managed to send a few ripples down the action crime genre, proving that it has what it takes to compete in the space that Prime Video continues to dominate. WhileThe Night Agentcomes nowhere close toReacherin terms of popularity and acclaim, Netflix’s next addition to the genre might change that.
Netflix’s Upcoming Adaption Of The Harry Hole Books Can Potentially Rival Prime Video’s Reacher
Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole Books Have Always Held Immense Television Potential
As reports confirm,an adaptation of Jo Nesbø’s fifthHarry Holenovel,The Devil’s Star, is being developed for Netflix. The series is scheduled to premiere sometime in 2026 and will be titledJo Nesbø’s Detective Hole. The titular detective in the series will be portrayed by Tobias Santelmann ofThe Last KingdomandKon-Tikifame.
Similar toReacher,Jo Nesbø’s Detective Holeis not trying to cram too much source material content into one installment.
While only time will tell how Netflix’s take on theHarry Holenovel will turn out, the streamer already seems to be on the right path by seemingly picking only one novel for the show’s opening season. Similar toReacher,Jo Nesbø’s Detective Holeis not trying to cram too much source material content into one installment.
If the show’s opening season performs well, Netflix could potentially have a full-fledged action crime franchise under its belt that could even compete withReacher.The Night Agent, too, proved to be a valuable IP for Netflix in the “dad show” domain. However, since only oneNight Agentbookexists, the streamer was forced to adopt original stories in the show’s subsequent installments.
TheHarry Holeadaptation will not encounter this issue. Just like Prime Video has an abundance of source material content forReacher,Netflix’sHarry Holeadaptation will also have as many as thirteen books to draw from, giving it long-term franchise potential right out of the gate.
LikeLee Child’sJack Reacherbooks, Jo Nesbø’sHarry Holenovels were first adapted for the big screen. A 2017 movie, titledThe Snowman, was based on Jo Nesbø’s 2007 novel of the same name. It featured Michael Fassbender as the main detective character alongside other renowned names like Val Kilmer, Rebecca Ferguson, and J.K. Simmons.
Yet, despite having a great cast, the movie failed to leave its mark andonly earned a Rotten Tomatoes score of 7%. Unlike the movie, the show seems to have a better shot at getting the adaptation right becauseits longer runtime will be able to capture Jo Nesbø’s complex plotting.
By casting Norwegian actor Tobias Santelmann as the protagonist, the show also seems to be determined to accurately portray the main character from the books. If everything else also falls into place for the upcoming Netflix show, the streamer could have two successful dad shows (includingThe Night Agent) and worthyReacherreplacements under its belt.
Reacher
Reacher follows Jack Reacher, a former military police investigator, as he navigates civilian life. Without a phone and carrying minimal belongings, Reacher drifts across the country, experiencing the nation he once served, and encounters intriguing challenges along the way.
