After breaking the Internet and series records with True Detective: Night Country, it's been announced today that showrunner Issa López (Tigers Are Not Afraid) is set to return for a fifth season of HBO's crime anthology series, True Detective.
Following the fourth and most successful entry into the franchise yet (the season averaged 12.7 million total viewers per episode, with the finale drawing 3.2 million viewers across HBO and Max), López will over see the new season as part of a multiyear deal that will also see her create new content for HBO and Max.
In a statement, López, who served as showrunner, writer, director and exec producer, said:
“From conception to release, Night Country has been the most beautiful collaboration and adventure of my entire creative life. HBO trusted my vision all the way, and the idea of bringing to life a new incarnation of True Detective with Casey, Francesca and the whole team is a dream come true. I can’t wait to go again.”
Starring Silence of the Lambs' icon Jodie Foster and boxer-turned-actress Kali Reis, True Detective: Night Country followed two detectives tasked with discovering the fates of eight missing scientists in Ennis, Alaska. As is traditional with True Detective (which has seen different actors helm each season), at this time, Foster and Reis are not attached to the fifth installment, and whether or not the season will be related to Night Country is still to be seen.
Francesca Orsi, EVP, HBO Programming, Head of HBO Drama Series and Films (mentioned by López above), expressed her excitement of reuniting the Night Country team:
“Issa Lopez is that one-of-a-kind, rare talent that speaks directly to HBO’s creative spirit. She helmed True Detective: Night Country from start to finish, never once faltering from her own commendable vision, and inspiring us with her resilience both on the page and behind the camera. Alongside Jodie and Kali’s impeccable performances, she’s made this installation of the franchise a massive success, we are so lucky to have her as part of our family.”
Created by Nic Pizzolatto back in 2014, True Detective has effectively mixed drama, horror, thriller and supernatural elements to create mind-bending stories across its four seasons. Whatever a fifth season has in store, we couldn't be more excited to see where López takes us next - we'll bring you any and all updates as we get them.
