The series has spent some time in limbo, but HBO is pressing ahead withTrue Detective Season 3. It goes without saying at this point, butTrue Detectiveseason 2 didn’t live up to the massive expectations that were placed on it, thanks to the tremendous first season that preceded it. Sophomore slump be damned,True Detectiveis going to give it another go. And some very promising talent has just boarded the show’s in-the-works third season.
AccordingEntertainment Weekly, series creatorNic Pizzolattois currently working onTrue Detectiveseason 3 and has already written the first two episodes. Additionally, it is being reported thatDeadwoodcreatorDavid Milchhas boarded the creative team and will lend his talents for the new season ofTrue Detective. He has a good relationship with HBO and a great track record when it comes to TV projects, so having him on board can only serve to benefit the show. Details on his specific role in the production ofTrue Detectiveseason 3 were not revealed, but EW is saying that he is not expected to serve as the showrunner.
It is also very important to note that, according to this report from EW, HBO has not given the green light to these new episodes ofTrue Detective. The show’s second season did not do all that well with critics or fans, at least when compared toTrue Detectiveseason 1, but it did do decent in the ratings department. Still, after the mixed reception to season 2, it left things a bit uncertain. So, even thoughNic Pizzolattois actively working on new episodes of the show, it is far from guaranteed that they will ever make it to air. In July of last year, HBO head of programmingCasey Bloysdid say that they were open to doingTrue Detectiveseason 3 but, at least at the time, they didn’t have a plan for it. Here is what he had to say.
“Both Nic and HBO are open to another season. I don’t think Nic has a take and he’s working on some other projects. We’re open to somebody else writing it and Nic supervising it. It’s a valuable franchise, it’s not dead, we just don’t have a take for a third season yet.”
GettingTrue Detectiveseason 3 the actual green light would likely depend on the strength of the take thatNic Pizzolattohas in mind.True Detectivehas, up to this point, been done as an anthology series that features different characters from season to season. However,Matthew McConaugheydid say last year that he would be open to reprising his role as Rust Cohle from season 1. Here is what he had to say about it on theRich Eisen Showlast June.
“I miss Rust Cohle, man. I miss watching him on Sunday nights. It would have to be the right context, the right way. That thing, when I read [the original script] I knew in 20 minutes if I can play this guy, Rustin Cohle, I’m in.”
IfNic Pizzolatto’s new episodes includedMatthew McConaugheyand maybe evenWoody Harrelson’s character fromTrue Detectiveseason 1, that might help give HBO the proper motivation to get the new season moving. Star power never hurts anything. It wasn’t enough to saveTrue Detectiveseason 2, butbringing back the charactersthat everyone fell in love with in the first place would likely drum up a lot of interest. We’ll have to wait and see how this all shakes out but, at least for now,True Detectiveseason 3 is back on track.
