The biggest word on the street in regards to True Detective: Season 2 is that it would feature primarily a cast of female detectives. That’s no problemo, as each season is designed to be self contained. The earliest casting rumor came in the form of Jessica Chastain, which was shot down about as fast as it popped up. Other names have come up since, like Brad Pitt, but now series creator Nic Pizzolatto has a few things to say about casting that pretty much brings us back to square one. He also has some news that may disappoint fans looking for a long-running show.
In regards to the casting rumors that have appeared thus far:
Literally, not a single rumor about casting that has been printed anywhere has any truth to it whatsoever. I mean that literally. I’ve seen entertainment reporters say ‘My sources say . . . ‘ There are no sources. There’s me and two other guys and they don’t even know what I’m doing.
On whether or not anyone has been cast:
No! I’ve talked to one person about it, possibly, and that has been it. We haven’t cast anybody. I have a secret list and that’s it.
In regards to whether or not the primary cast will be female:
Again, it’s a rumor with no basis in fact. There is a strong female character. But I wouldn’t say it is female-led or anything like that.
In regards to how long True Detective may last:
Every season, I’m essentially creating a brand new TV show. It can’t have any growing pains like a regular first season. If it works it has to work right out of the box. That’s incredibly exhausting. I mean, the job is exhausting to begin with, but it’s doubly exhausting and I’m writing every episode. I can’t imagine I would do this more than three years. I mean, I’d like to have a regular TV show. We’ll have some fixed sets, regular actors and I could bring in people to help and I don’ t have to be there every second. It’d be great.
It’s nice to get some official news on the topic from the man himself, so we could put those other rumors to bed. Having recently watched the first season, I couldn’t be more excited for two more years of Pizzolatto’s writing. Given that he writes each episode (and the first season had the same director all throughout), I can see how it would be an exhausting process. The great aspect about the show is that each season will be self-contained, so viewers won’t feel like they’re missing out on anything if he does decide to call it quits after three seasons.
If they keep in line with the schedule from season one, we should expect True Detective: Season 2 to start airing on HBO in early 2015.