Nic Pizzolatto, creator of HBO’s True Detective, recently sent fans into a meltdown with the revelation that he has written a genuine sequel to the hit crime drama’s universally-acclaimed debut, answering over a decade’s worth of demand for a season 1 reunion.
And just to dump a proverbial canister of gasoline on top of the equally-proverbial campfire, Pizzolatto confirmed that both original leading men (slash potential biological brothers) Matthew McConaughey, who portrayed Detective Rustin “Rust” Cohle, and Woody Harrelson, who portrayed Detective Martin “Marty” Hart, had even sat down for a goddamn table read of the script – apparently dubbed True Detective: The Return.
But in an act of nuclear-level blue ballsing unlike anything seen in history, Pizzolatto punctuated the needlessly cruel Instagram post embedded below with what we’re ready to crown the worst 13-word caveat ever conceived by man: “Shame we’ll probably never get to film it… What a story. Ah, well…”
What. Do. You. Mean. Bro?!
While that frustrating component of the caption above certainly throws a spanner in the works, we’re choosing to hold out hope for an actual continuation of television history’s greatest opening season.
On a previous occasion, Nic Pizzolatto outlined the criteria that would need to be met before he even considered anything resembling a True Detective season 1 reunion…
“I’d have to first write a story that I, the actors, and the network all loved. Loved so much it feels worth revisiting something we already did the right way,” explained Pizzolatto.
“Then the actors would have to really want to do it. Then the network would have to foot the bill, which would be considerable. So that’s a lot.”
“And it would start with me writing something on spec. Other than that, I could write a book without those constraints, but again, I’m doing other things and don’t have the time or inclination at present.”
Considering the story has already been written, the trio’s smiles which lend us to believe True Detective: The Return is a cracker, and zero time constraints given his IMDb doesn’t indicate he has anything else on the horizon, all that’s left is a greenlight from HBO.
The same can be said for Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. Having just completed their latest joint project with a certain Apple TV+ comedy series, the only thing really holding them back is the forthcoming Yellowstone spin-off McConaughey is reportedly leading to keep Paramount Network’s gravy train from derailing post-Kevin Costner.
You know what the people want, HBO. Make it happen.
As for the direction HBO’s crime anthology franchise is actually taking without Nic Pizzolatto, you’ll be happy to hear that True Detective season 4 (official title True Detective: Night Country) is scheduled to premiere later this year.
Starring the Academy Award-winning Jodie Foster as Detective Liz Danvers and professional boxer turned actress Kali Reis as Detective Evangeline Navarro, this instalment takes place in Arctic Alaska, where night can last over 24 hours, featuring an emphasis on Alaska Native culture – here’s the official synopsis:
When the long winter night falls in Ennis, Alaska, the eight men that operate the Tsalal Arctic Research Station vanish without a trace. To solve the case, Detectives Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) will have to confront the darkness they carry in themselves, as well as dig up the dark truths lying underneath the eternal ice.
Check out the first teaser trailer for True Detective: Night Country below.
