True Detective (2014 — 2024)

The popular American anthology crime drama television series True Detective (2014–2024) was created by Nic Pizzolatto and first aired on HBO in 2014. Each season features a new narrative, cast, and setting. The initial season was met with critical acclaim and impressive ratings for HBO, winning numerous awards for its exceptional acting, cinematography, writing, and direction. While the second season received mixed reviews, it still maintained high viewership. The third season was positively reviewed but experienced a decrease in viewership. Now in its fourth season, titled True Detective: Night Country and set in Alaska, the show stars Jodie Foster and Kali Reis with Issa López as writer and director.

Season one of True Detective is a nonlinear narrative that follows Louisiana State Police homicide detectives Rustin Cohle and Martin Hart as they investigate the 1995 murder of prostitute Dora Lange. After 17 years, they are forced to revisit the case, along with other unsolved crimes. Meanwhile, Hart’s affair threatens his marriage to Maggie and Cohle struggles to come to terms with his troubled past. The show delves into themes of philosophical pessimism, masculinity, and Christianity, while sparking discussions about its portrayal of women, auteurist sensibility, and influence from comics and weird horror fiction. Writer Nic Pizzolatto initially intended for True Detective to be a novel, but ultimately believed it was better suited for television. The series was filmed in Louisiana over three months under the direction of Cary Joji Fukunaga. Praised by critics as one of the best dramas of 2014, it earned multiple nominations and awards for its writing, cinematography, direction, and acting in prestigious ceremonies such as the Primetime Emmy Awards and Golden Globes.

The second season is set in California and follows the intertwined tales of police officers from three collaborative departments. After California Highway Patrol officer and war veteran Paul Woodrugh uncovers the body of corrupt city manager Ben Caspere on a highway, Vinci Police Department detective Ray Velcoro and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division Sergeant Ani Bezzerides are called in to assist with the investigation. Meanwhile, career criminal Frank Semyon tries to legitimize his business with his wife Jordan by investing in a rail project managed by Caspere, but when Caspere is murdered, Frank loses his money and begins his own inquiry.

HBO confirmed the third season of True Detective on August 31, 2017. The American anthology crime drama television series, created by Nic Pizzolatto, premiered on January 13, 2019. Set in the Ozarks over three decades, the story centers around a macabre crime involving two missing children and features partner detectives Wayne Hays and Roland West. This season marks Pizzolatto’s directorial debut, as he shares directing duties with Jeremy Saulnier and Daniel Sackheim. Pizzolatto also serves as showrunner and sole writer for the season, except for episodes four and six which he co-wrote with David Milch and Graham Gordy respectively.

The fourth installment of True Detective, an American anthology crime drama series created by Nic Pizzolatto, made its debut on HBO on January 14, 2024. This season takes place in the fictitious town of Ennis, Alaska, and centers around the investigation into the disappearance of eight men from a research facility. Starring as Detectives Liz Danvers and Evangeline Navarro are Jodie Foster and Kali Reis. Titled Night Country, this marks the first season to have a subtitle. Issa López is at the helm as showrunner, writer, and director, while Pizzolatto remains involved as an executive producer but without his previous roles as showrunner or writer.