The Return: Everything We Know About True Detective Season 3

It's happening...again.




Ever since its first season True Detective has found its place in the pantheon of premium television shows that have impacted pop culture as well as garnered critical acclaim. Even throughout the second season ratings were solid and even though it fell short of the rave reviews, its influential nihilistic writing was still there. People still wanted more. No one can deny the impression this show has made on television by bringing movie stars into one season contracts and letting one director take full control of that story arc. So it was no big surprise HBO green lighted another season to try one more time at capturing the success of the first. Here's everything we know about True Detective Season 3.

There Was A Small Chance Of No Season 3

The second season of True Detective didn't quite live up to the standards and high quality of the first season so there was some concern Season 3 was unlikely. Then HBO Programming President Michael Lombardo defended the backlash at TCA  in 2015 saying:

“I think you need to watch the entirety of it,” he cautioned. “I think the season’s ending is as satisfying as any series we’ve done.”  

But as time went on Lombardo ran back on his comments and shouldered some of the blame for the quality of the season. On an interview with  KPCC's The Frame  Lombardo said:

“Well, you know what? I set him up. To deliver, in a very short time frame, something that became very challenging to deliver...That’s not what that show is. He had to reinvent the wheel, so to speak. Find his muse. And so I think that’s what I learned from it. Don’t do that anymore.” 

Lombardo went on to admit the first season ideas was something Pizzolatto thought of for a long time so naturally the plot and characters were more cohesive and structured instead of rushed like Season 2.  There were questions if Pizzolatto would even continue on given Season 2 failures but Lombardo insisted:

 “If he wants to do another season, I said the door is open, we’d like to do another season of it.” 

Then Pizzolatto signed another deal with HBO and was reported working on a new Perry Mason TV series with Robert Downey Jr. It seemed like a new season was unlikely until:

Enter David Milch

A whole 2 years later (and new HBO Programming President to boot in Casey Bloys) we finally get some serious rumblings of something happening here. Deadline reports that the legendary David Milch, creator of Deadwood, was in talks to help shepherd a new season along with Pizzolatto. Milch would work in a "consulting capacity" but the deal was still in early stages and nothing was set in stone. Still to True Detective fans the news came as a welcomed surprise especially giving the potential talent that is emerging behind the camera. 

The Green Light & Cast

After a few months of reports on casting rumors and such Season 3 was officially confirmed on August of last year. Nic Pizzolatto would return to write every episode except Episode 4 (which has become a staple in True Detective being as something batshit crazy goes down each season on that episode number) which he co-wrote with David Milch who as apart of his deal with HBO has been helping on the show. Pizzolatto would make his directorial debut alongside Jeremy Saulnier, director of movies Green Room & Blue Ruin. And to top it off Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali (Moonlight) would star in the series as it's lead role Wayne Hays, a state police detective from Northwest Arkansas.Whoa. That's a hell of an epic crew. 

But wait it gets better.

Since the announcement a bunch of actors have been confirmed to join the talented Ali in the series. Those include Carmen Ejogo (Selma) who will play Amelia Reardon, an Arkansas schoolteacher with a connection to two missing children in 1980. Scoot Mcnairy (Halt & Catch Fire) who will play Tom, a father who suffers a terrible loss that ties his fate to that of two state police detectives over 10 years. And Stephen Dorff (Somewhere) who will play Ali's partner in the series, Roland West, an Arkansas State Investigator who, along with his partner, has his life and career influenced over three decades by a baffling crime. 

 The Story So Far

Now here's where things get really interesting. Along with news of casting we were treated to a taste of the story we will be experiencing come premiere night. 

Season 3 of True Detective will tell the story of a macabre crime in the heart of the Ozarks, and a mystery that deepens over decades and plays out in three separate time periods. 

If that isn't a return to form I don't know what is. Months ago I argued True Detective roots are in horror and that is what made the show so special and stand out from other cop dramas. If they can go back to that darkness, they can recapture their early success. From the looks of that tease we're back to black indeed.

Sounds Great! So When Can I Watch It?!

Unfortunately here's the bad news. We won't be getting season 3 until 2019. Casting is still underway and principal photography probably hasn't even started. But hey at least we have Westworld to hold us over until then. If things stay as is HBO is in for a wild 2019. Game of Thrones and the return of True Detective. Whew.