Woody Harrelson is no stranger to the world of TV, since he got his big career boost from beloved sitcom Cheers. It’s been a while since he’s taken a starring role on a show, but now he’s back, bringing Matthew McConaughey along with him for limited-run drama series True Detective.
Nic Pizzolatto concocted the idea, which would see two ‘tecs, Rust Cohle (McConaughey) and Martin Hart (Harrelson), surviving and colliding as they investigate a serial killer case across 17 years, with material set both in 1995 and the present day. While both actors have busy film schedules, the plan is for them to star in the eight-episode first series, which would wrap up the main plotline. Then the show will follow different characters and stories going forward. Theoretically, that could mean a revolving cast of big names stepping in for a few episodes.
Given that Pizzolatto most recently worked on the US adaptation of The Killing, this format isn’t all that shocking, but we really do hope he’s learned the lessons of that series, which caused an outcry with endless red herrings and a frustrating cliff-hanger end to its first season.
The concept is now being offered as a package to various US cable channels, and it also includes a director, with Jane Eyre’s Cary Fukunaga attached to over see all of the first season’s episodes. Pizzolatto has also cranked out two full scripts and a bible for the others. It’s certainly an attractive proposition, and we’re sure most of the big US cable types will be interested.