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The latest news in the wacky world of True Detective may not have come to us care of the Colin Farrell Gazette (the paper of record, duh), but it’s still official enough to send fans (and foes) of the HBO series into a major tizzy. Everyone, calm down. Let’s talk about this.
HBO (via ComingSoon) has announced that, yes, Farrell is on board to star in the series’ second season, as is Vince Vaughn, who has long been rumored to take on one of four leading roles in the next installment of the deep, dark detective drama. The breaking of this news has apparently sent literally thousands of Twitter users into a downward spiral of guilt, blame and fear (at least, by our count) – which is weird, because the series hasn’t even completed half of its casting. Put the towels down, guys, let’s not throw them in just yet.
The news itself reminds us that this installment of True Detective will focus on four cast members, thanks to a newly released log line: “in the second season, three police officers and a career criminal must navigate a web of conspiracy in the aftermath of a murder.” Let’s parse that. Three. And one. Four cast members. Farrell is set to play one of the police officers (“Ray Velcoro”), with Vaughn on board as the career criminal (“Frank Semyon”). Farrell’s Ray is described as “a compromised detective whose allegiances are torn between his masters in a corrupt police department and the mobster who owns him.” Vaughn will play “a career criminal in danger of losing his empire when his move into legitimate enterprise is upended by the murder of a business partner.”
That still leaves two spots to fill. Even if you’re not a fan of Farrell and Vaughn – two talents who are, admittedly, capable of both awesome choices and huge mistakes – their interest in starring in such a program is heartening, as is the number-crunching that reveals that, hey, there are still going to be two other people to look at.
The Wrap also shares that Taylor Kitsch remains a frontrunner for the series – he would play the other detective – while Rachel McAdams is listed as the top potential pick for the long-hinted-at female role (previously described as “a Monterey sheriff with a troubled past that has led her to a gambling and alcohol addiction”). Series creator Nic Pizzolatto came under fire last year for not including strong female characters in the first season of the show, and this complicated sheriff appears to be his answer to that problem (small comfort, but if Pizzolatto can write twisted characters for female talents like he can for his male stars, we’re in for, well, something).
Per HBO, “additional casting will be announced as it is confirmed,” so sit tight, even if you’re not sold on Vaughn and Farrell, there’s still hope that HBO might just line up someone that gets you amped for what’s to come. Or, hell, we can just wait and see the final product before judging it (easier said than done, but remember how wonderful it was to be surprised by the first season of True Detective? don’t you want that feeling back?).
Additionally, helmer Justin Lin is now confirmed to direct the first two episodes the season – unlike last year, which was entirely directed by Cary Fukunaga, the series will mix up its directors. Wonder if Pizzolatto wants to get behind the camera, too?
The second season of True Detective will run for eight episodes and will reportedly start filming this fall on location in California.