True Detective season 3: Mahershala Ali in early talks; what this means
As first reported from Deadline, the Oscar-winning actor of Moonlight fame (who we will forever know best from The 4400 when he was going by Mahershalalhashbaz Ali) is in early discussions to be one of the stars of the new season. Let’s reemphasize that: Early discussions. This doesn’t mean it will happen, but it does mean that there is mutual interest and something that the two parties can gain from the collaboration. HBO wants a notable star for their attempt at bringing the show back to prominence / relevance. Meanwhile, Ali could get another meaty role, the likes of which rarely come around on television.
It’s been a solid two years already since True Detective season 2 aired on HBO; when it did, calling it polarizing would be putting it lightly. This was one of the most-negatively received scripted dramas in HBO’s history, and it struggled from taking the world-weariness of True Detective season 1 to new and ridiculous heights. It was too dark, too dreary, and too complicated. Part of what made season 1 so effective is that you had such a small core group of characters surrounded by swirling darkness, and you saw most of that through their eyes. Through season 3, the show should return more to its original roots, and that is starting simple before allowing things to spiral more and more out of control.
Recently, we reported that True Detective season 3 could not have details available between now and the TCA Summer Press Tour several months from now. this news, as a result of this, is certainly welcome given that we didn’t think it’d be coming. We still have a hard time picturing that a new season of the show will come any earlier than the end of 2018 / early 2019, just because there is so much to still figure out.
What we know
Creator Nic Pizzolatto is still very much involved in the show, and he’s got help: David Milch. The former Deadwood showrunner is collaborating in some capacity. Basically, if there are two people who have the capacity to craft an awesome narrative, odds are that it’s probably these two.
HBO, meanwhile, has never shown any signs that they are considering dropping the franchise, even if most people disliked the second season. They’re certainly familiar with giving shows second chances, and they have a lot invested in the franchise from the first season. (Yes, there have been rumors for months about Woody Harrelson or Matthew McConaughey coming back for more episodes, but there’s never been anything close to confirmation that it’s actually happening.)
Personally, we’d rather see a second season of The Night Of than this, but beggars really can’t be choosers, can they?
Would Ali’s presence make you want to watch True Detective season 3, or would you watch anyway? Share below!
Meanwhile, be sure to click here to get some other news and updates pertaining to the series. (Photo: HBO.)