True Detective Season 2: Which Pairing Can Pick Up From Cohle And Hart?
Nic Pizzolatto put the sincerity and quality of True Detective’s story over multiple seasons of the show, asserting that a strict 8-episode format would be condusive to a strong third act. And judging by the critical claim he’s received – his creation is being talked about in the same breath as The Wire – one is inclined to trust the man who risked everything to write the new HBO anthology series.
“One of the reasons I wanted to do an anthology format is I like stories with endings. I like a good third act. And continuing serial dramas, they tend to have really good beginnings and really long middles and then sort of have to hustle to develop an ending. And I like the idea of telling a self-contained story,” explained Pizzolatto.
Part of the show’s appeal, aside from the existential themes, beautifully framed Louisianan verdure and incredibly smart pacing, are the performances from lead actors, Matthew Mcconaughey and Woody Harrelson, who play the troubled loner Rustin Cohle and family man in denial Martin Hart respectivley. The pair have been lauded with every superlative possible since T.D’s Januaray 12th premiere, and as we enter the final three episodes, their dynamic slowly unravels further.
Check out our 5 Things You Didnt' Know About 'True Detective'.
It would be easy to be sad about their impending departure, but with the finite nature of the show predetermining that they must part ways, thoughts inevitably stray to a second season, what kind of themes it could cover, and – if a pairing is decided upon again – which two actors could pick up the admittedly heavy mantle left behind by Rustin and Marty?
In terms of themes, it’s almost impossible to predict. Pizzolatto has already demonstrated a fine eye for screenwriting; his themes run deep and move concurrently to the plot without impeding on its progress – often laying the foundations for greater appreciation when the more visceral components of the show play out on screen. He’s the ‘hottest showrunner in town’, right now.
In fact, Pizzolatto has admitted that, despite the show's name, the premise is very much up for grabs. “The title, True Detective, is meant to be, of course, purposefully somewhat generic before you even get to the deeper indications. The word "true" can also mean honorable and authentic and things like that. But all the previous incarnations of anything titled True Detective was an anthology; right? So as long as there is some crime in there, I think the series format can approach it,” he explained.
Trying to predict the cast is nearly as impossible, but McConaughey and Harrelson’s work on the small screen, coupled with Kevin Spacey’s on House of Cards via the Netflix platform, will not have gone unnoticed by Hollywood’s A-list. It might not be a pairing, but given that everything else in the show will change for season 2, it might just be the one theme that finds its way through. Also, bear in mind that some of these suggestions are completely ridiculous. But consider this, too: before it was announced that McConaughey and Harrelson were to star in a TV show together, heads were certainly turned.
Next Page: which actors could star in True Detective season 2?
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Bryan Cranston and Jon Hamm are responsible for the lead characters in two of TV’s favorite shows: Breaking Bad and Mad Men. Cranston’s role as Walter White bought him infamy as the show rumbled through 5 seasons, culminating at breakneck speed. Hamm’s Don Draper is still going, with Mad Men season 7 set to hit screens in April. The pair are highly respected, and would demand the attention of any network should they express an interest. Cranston has moved from TV to movies, with roles in Black is The Night and Godzilla upcoming in 2014, but HBO’s knock is louder than most.
Casey Affleck [L] and Pal Joaquin Phoenix [R[ Could Form a Formidable Partnership
Casey Affleck and Joaquin Phoenix
Like McConaughey and Harrelson, these two are buddies. Joaquin Phoenix’s ostensible public breakdown was part of Affleck’s documentary I’m Still Here. They’re both young guys, too, and will recognize the value of well-written TV, something Pizzolatto has proven he can produce. Affleck turned in a strong performance as the little brother of Christian Bale in Out of The Furnace, which, despite receiving mixed reviews, was widely considered to be a brilliantly acted film. Phoenix has most recently been seen in Her, Spike Jonze’s romantic dystopia.
How About Tom Hanks [L] and Paul Dano [R] as True Detectives?
Tom Hanks and Paul Dano
Perhaps a leftfield choice, but if the dynamic between Rust and Mart is to continue – that of a strange, eerie presence and a struggling traditionalist – then Hanks and Dano have the requisite abilities to fulfill that. Most will say Hanks is too big a movie star to commit to a TV show, but Harrelson and Spacey weren’t exactly minnows when they signed up to the small screen. And both have benefitted enormously from the change of medium. Dano, on the other hand, is ripe for extended exploration. He seems like the type of actor who would relish with 8 solid hours of development, and we’d love to see what he could do with that kind of room to maneuver.
How About 'House of Cards' Star Sebastian Arcelus [L] and Lupita Nyong'o [R]?
Sebastian Arcelus and Lupita Nyong’o
See, what we’ve done here is pick out two brilliant performances, thrust the actors together and hope it’ll fly. Sebastian Arcelus has come into his own in the second season of House of Cards after his character Lucas Goodwin faced up to the seriousness of his situation. Nyong’o was unforgettable as Patsy in 12 Years a Slave. It’s true that Nyong’o will have Hollywood offers filling her agent’s inbox like never before, but then again, television is providing its strongest pull to date. Nyong’o’s raw talent and noteriety for 12 Years – something that could exponentially rise come March 2nd – combined with Arcelus’s growing repuation for the small screen could make this a TV pairing to be reckoned with.
Giancarlo Esposito [L] and Christian Bale [R] Would Be A Huge Coup For HBO
Giancarlo Esposito and Christian Bale
Why not end with a bang? Of course, there is probably 0.0012% chance of this happening, but with Esposito (Gus from Breaking Bad) not up to much since his spectacular exit in season 4, and Bale basically ready to do anything he wants now he’s no longer charged with Gotham, this could be a match made in TV heaven. If cult TV hero status and pure Hollywood cache were ever to cross swords, this it the pairing we’d like to see attempt it.