True Detective fans, now is the time to either rejoice (or throw a tantrum), because the stars of season two have officially been announced. After some months of wild speculation and rumors (and excellent memes), actors Vince Vaughn and Colin Farrell have come out on top as the confirmed leads of the hit HBO drama. Filling the shoes of Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson will be no small feat after season one left viewers and critics awed and eager for more.
Farrell will play the part of Ray Velcoro, “a compromised detective whose allegiances are torn between his masters in a corrupt police department and the mobster who owns him,” while Vaughn will play Frank Semyon, “a career criminal in danger of losing his empire when his move into legitimate enterprise is upended by the murder of a business partner.” Fast and Furious franchise director Justin Lin is set to direct the first two episodes of the Nic Pizzolatto–penned mystery-drama.
No doubt fans of the show are unsure of what to expect in terms of what sort of chemistry Farrell and Vaughn conjure up; will Vince Vaughn turn it into one big buddy-cop bromance? Or will Colin Farrell’s Irish brogue steal the show? Only time will tell, but reactions to the announcement have already been fairly extreme. Some question Vaughn’s skill as a dramatic actor, while others are disappointed by the lack of a female lead. Jessica Biel, Elisabeth Moss, and Rachel McAdams were all reportedly rumored for one of the starring roles, but the third leading man (or lady) has yet to be announced. Let’s hope that Vaughn, Farrell, and the rest of the new cast are able to find that same magic in season two.
(via Vulture)
Update September 25, 2014: This morning Variety has reported that Rachel McAdams and Taylor Kitsch have, in fact, been officially offered the final two lead True Detective roles. The pair would play cops alongside Farrell for the HBO show’s second season.
