True Detective season 3
Two detectives investigate a macabre crime over three decades.
HBO · via Wikipedia: True Detective season 3 · Fair use
The third season of *True Detective*, an American anthology crime drama created by Nic Pizzolatto, received an official green light from HBO on August 31, 2017, and first aired on January 13, 2019. Set in the Ozarks, the narrative unfolds across three decades, following two partner detectives as they probe a grim crime centered on two missing children. The season’s opening theme is “Death Letter,” a song written by Son House and performed by Cassandra Wilson, originally released on her 1995 album *New Moon Daughter*. Mahershala Ali stars as lead detective Wayne Hays, with Stephen Dorff portraying his partner, detective Roland West. Pizzolatto makes his directorial debut for the series, sharing directing duties with Jeremy Saulnier and Daniel Sackheim. As showrunner, Pizzolatto wrote most episodes himself, except for the fourth and sixth, which he co-wrote with David Milch and Graham Gordy, respectively. In November 2015, a few months after season two ended, HBO signed an overall deal with Pizzolatto through 2018, allowing him to develop new projects, including a potential third season of *True Detective*. HBO programming president Michael Lombardo said of the agreement, “I am thrilled to continue our relationship with Nic, as he is one of the most exceptionally talented writers and producers working today. I look forward to seeing where his unique creative vision will take us next.” *Variety* reported that the network requested changes for a third season, specifically that Pizzolatto collaborate with a writing staff or a new showrunner. These requests stemmed from the less favorable reception of season two compared to season one, partly blamed on the lack of a creative counterbalance to Pizzolatto. The strong artistic input of Cary Joji Fukunaga, who directed all eight episodes of the first season, was considered beneficial to the show. In contrast, season two employed multiple directors, effectively leaving Pizzolatto to work alone. In a June 2015 interview with *Vanity Fair*, Pizzolatto stated, “If I’m making a movie or a show or whatever, I’m expressing something on a personal level or else it doesn’t mean anything to me.
Quick Facts
- Season Number
- 3
- Showrunner
- Nic Pizzolatto
- Starring
- Mahershala Ali / Carmen Ejogo / Stephen Dorff / Scoot McNairy / Ray Fisher
- Network
- HBO
- First Aired
- 2019-01-13
- Last Aired
- 2019-02-24
- Num Episodes
- 8
- Episode List
- List of True Detective episodes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The season was developed after HBO reached an overall deal with Pizzolatto in November 2015. In July 2016, HBO programming head Casey Bloys confirmed plans for a third season, describing True Detective as 'a valuable franchise.' David Milch was recruited to assist Pizzolatto in preparing the season, and writing of the first two episodes was completed by March 2017. Mahershala Ali entered early discussions for the lead role in June 2017, and the season was officially greenlit on August 31, 2017, after director Jeremy Saulnier was confirmed to work alongside Pizzolatto.
Filming began in Arkansas in February 2018, with Saulnier and Pizzolatto splitting directing assignments. Saulnier exited after completing the first two episodes, reportedly due to scheduling conflicts and 'differences of opinion' with Pizzolatto. Daniel Sackheim replaced Saulnier and divided directing duties on the remaining episodes with Pizzolatto. The season wrapped filming in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in August 2018. Pizzolatto, who had lived in Fayetteville as a student, found the area evocative and insisted on shooting there.
Reader's Guide
The third season of True Detective is significant as a return to the anthology format after the less favorably received second season. HBO requested changes, including that Pizzolatto work with a staff of writers or a new showrunner, in response to criticism that the second season lacked a creative counterpart. The season features Mahershala Ali in the lead role of detective Wayne Hays, a role originally offered as supporting because the main character was intended to be white; Ali convinced Pizzolatto he was suited for the lead. The season's opening theme is 'Death Letter' by Son House, performed by Cassandra Wilson. The production was the largest and most expensive ever filmed in Arkansas, according to the state's economic development commission. The season's legacy includes its use of the Ozarks landscape as a character in the story and its exploration of a crime spanning three decades.
Did You Know?
- Mahershala Ali was originally offered a supporting role, as the main character was supposed to be white, but he convinced Pizzolatto he was suited for the lead.
- The season was filmed in Northwest Arkansas, including Fayetteville, Bentonville, Lincoln, Rogers, and Springdale.
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