Without its creator Nic Pizzolatto at the helm, True Detective is edging closer to a formal return at HBO.
The premium cable network has hired Issa Lopez (Tigers Are Not Afraid, Secondary Effects), according to sources, to write a script for a new cycle dubbed True Detective: Night Country. Barry Jenkins is also involved in executive producing the anthology. Lopez would serve as an executive producer and direct the pilot episode of season four, which is presently in development.
As no formal agreements have been made, HBO refuses to comment. Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, who starred in season one, are anticipated to return as executive producers for the fourth season of the Emmy-winning HBO series. Jenkins, who spent a few years at Amazon before switching his overall agreement to HBO last April, will executive produce through his Pastel brand, with Adele Romanski and Mark Ceryak of the business also joining as EPs. Once more, Anonymous Content will appear.
Even though he is not anticipated to be actively involved in the fourth season, Pizzolatto will probably also be given the title of executive producer. Sources previously told THR in January 2020 that HBO executives spoke with showrunner Pizzolat to, who created the anthology, and all parties came to the conclusion that it was time to part ways. With HBO, he signed his first contract overall, which was tied to the premiere of True Detective, and twice extended it. HBO holds the rights to True Detective and has left the door open to revisiting the programme with a new writer and core producer at the lead as it seeks to explore various points of view since Pizzolatto’s departure. (Pizzolatto and McConaughey have worked together once again, this time for the FX series Redeemer, as part of a larger contract with the cabler. The series was abandoned, and Pizzolatto secured an early termination of his contract with FX.)
It’s not shocking to learn that True Detective will be returning. In February, Casey Bloys, the head of HBO and HBO Max, told THR that “we’ve been considering numerous ideas” for the franchise.
After HBO’s star-studded first season broke out with 12 Emmy nominations, Pizzolatto’s fame exploded. Through three seasons, the franchise has received more than 20 nominations.
Jenkins, on the other hand, worked on The Underground Railroad for years at Amazon as part of his first-look agreement with the streamer. The Oscar winner for Moonlight is represented by CAA, Jewerl Ross, and lawyer Jamie Feldman.
M88, Rand Holston, and Hirsch Wallerstein serve as Lopez’s agents. He is a prominent Mexican producer, writer, and director. She has collaborated on films with filmmakers including Jason Blum, Noah Hawley, and Guillermo del Toro.