Nic Pizzolatto, creator of True Detective, has teased the possible return of Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson as Rust Cohle and Marty Hart, the iconic detective duo from the show’s critically acclaimed first season.
A New Chapter for Cohle and Hart?
Despite True Detective having “always been pitched as an anthology,” Pizzolatto revealed during an appearance on Tim Green’s Nothing Left Unsaid podcast that he has a potential storyline in mind for the fan-favorite characters.
“I actually have another story for Cohle and Hart that, who knows, maybe we’ll do it one day,” Pizzolatto said, noting that while no script has been written, both lead actors are “open” to the idea.
While he remained tight-lipped about the plot details, Pizzolatto emphasized that the new concept is “character-based” and still lives only in his head for now. “We’ve talked about getting back together and doing it,” he added, but stressed that the possibility remains speculative.
True Detective’s Legacy and Season 4 Controversy
Since its debut on HBO in 2014, True Detective has become a standout title in modern television. Season 1 garnered widespread acclaim, earning 12 Emmy nominations and winning five. The anthology has since featured stars like Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, Mahershala Ali, and Jodie Foster across its subsequent seasons.
Season 4, subtitled Night Country and led by showrunner Issa López, marked the first time Pizzolatto was not directly involved in the show’s creation (though he retained executive producer credit). The season was both well-reviewed and the most-watched in the series’ history, but drew public criticism from Pizzolatto, who shared fan backlash and expressed dissatisfaction with the creative direction.
López responded diplomatically, saying she had great respect for the original vision but embraced her reinterpretation:
“It is a reinvention, and it is different,” she said.
However, series star Kali Reis was more outspoken, expressing frustration over Pizzolatto’s public comments.
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Season 5 Moves Forward — Without Pizzolatto
True Detective: Season 5 is already in development as part of López’s overall deal with HBO. The new installment will move the action from the snowy landscapes of Alaska to Jamaica Bay in Long Island, with the promise of “some important connections” to Night Country. The writers’ room is open, casting is underway, and filming is expected to begin soon for a 2027 release.
Will Pizzolatto Return to the Franchise?
Though he stepped away from True Detective in 2019 after gaining full custody of his daughter, Pizzolatto hasn’t ruled out a return. He admitted that walking away was due to emotional exhaustion and a desire to prioritize fatherhood.
“I was spiritually tired of walking in that much darkness,” he explained.
Ultimately, he expressed support for the show’s continuation under new leadership:
“I hope they do lots of them… I wish ’em luck with Season 5.”
However, regarding his own future with the series, Pizzolatto left the door open:
“I would return depending on HBO leadership and my own work schedule.”
