Woody Harrelson Slams Door on True Detective Reunion for Good
Nic Pizzolatto hyped a summer return for Cohle and Hart, but Woody Harrelson just slammed the brakes—he’s not coming back to True Detective.
If you were still dreaming about Rust and Marty saddling up for one last ride, Woody Harrelson just slammed that door shut. Hard.
Woody says the Rust-and-Marty reunion is a no-go
On Today, host Dylan Dreyer brought up that Matthew McConaughey had floated the idea that he and Harrelson would consider another True Detective season if the material was strong enough. Harrelson did not leave much wiggle room.
'Matthew's so funny... But in fairness, never. Not a chance.'
He made it clear this isn’t about bad blood or a miserable time on set. He loves what they made in Season 1 — and he’s worried that going back could dent the legacy. In short: it turned out exactly right, and doing more might smudge it.
About that Nic Pizzolatto tease...
Earlier this year, creator Nic Pizzolatto said he had a fresh story in mind for Rust Cohle and Marty Hart — character-driven, living in his head, not on the page — and that he’d talked with McConaughey and Harrelson about it. He suggested both guys were open, the big question being whether it would ever actually happen. Based on Woody’s new comments, consider that question answered.
Where True Detective is actually headed now
Pizzolatto steered the first three seasons, but after his HBO deal expired, the network handed the reins to Issa Lopez for True Detective: Night Country. That season landed, and HBO quickly locked Lopez for another round. The brass are already setting expectations: HBO drama chief Francesca Orsi says the next season is moving to New York, specifically Jamaica Bay, with Lopez bringing a different setting but similar force behind it.
- Showrunner: Issa Lopez returns after Night Country
- Setting: New York, around Jamaica Bay
- Timeline: Aiming to start production later this year, with a planned 2027 premiere
- Casting: Nicolas Cage is reportedly one of the leads, playing a New York detective named Henry Logan
Season 1 is as good as TV gets, and yeah, that’s tough to follow. As much as I’d watch McConaughey and Harrelson read a phone book, Harrelson’s logic tracks: some things are great because they end. Meanwhile, the franchise is very much alive — just on a different beat, in a different borough.