‘True Detective’ season 2: When can you expect casting announcements?

For those who have been tortured by the long wait for some news on “True Detective” season 2 casting, take some solace now. After all, we are hearing that the wait is almost over.

While at the HBO Television Critics Association event today, network head Michael Lombardo confirmed that there are discussions happening right now, and there will be at least some sort of casting announcement within the next week. Granted, we still wouldn’t rule out it taking longer than that, given that this sort of stuff always takes far longer than people say that it will in advance.

Lombardo also made the ridiculously bold statement today that he has seen the first two scripts for the second season already, and that they are even more “exciting” than what he had seen from the show the first go-around featuring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. Given all of the Emmy love that the show got earlier for these guys and as a Drama Series as a whole, this could blow everyone away if it meets the hype.

There is no premiere date just yet for the return of the series, but we do personally expect it to be back at some point in 2015 … just not in the early going, given that filming has not begun yet and there are not even any roles cast. We’d much prefer that it takes its time, and then comes out maybe next summer in the spot occupied right now by “True Blood.” It would probably draw similar ratings, but the downside would be that it would not be eligible for the Emmys until 2016.

Photo: HBO