Can creator Nic Pizzolatto top the dramatic darkness and cinematic captivation that was True Detective season 1? The jury is still out on that, but today we proceed one step closer to finding out if such a feat is possible.
HBO released the first teaser trailer for True Detective season 2, which features a brand new cast and story set in an entirely different location, Los Angeles. Colin Farrell, Vince Vaughn, Rachel McAdams, and Taylor Kitsch are the leads and you explore their character descriptions in the just-released synopsis below. Jump into the gallery to view character portraits.
A bizarre murder brings together three law-enforcement officers and a career criminal, each of whom must navigate a web of conspiracy and betrayal in the scorched landscapes of California. Colin Farrell is Ray Velcoro, a compromised detective in the all-industrial City of Vinci, LA County. Vince Vaughn plays Frank Semyon, a criminal and entrepreneur in danger of losing his life’s work, while his wife and closest ally (Kelly Reilly), struggles with his choices and her own. Rachel McAdams is Ani Bezzerides, a Ventura County Sheriff’s detective often at odds with the system she serves, while Taylor Kitsch plays Paul Woodrugh, a war veteran and motorcycle cop for the California Highway Patrol who discovers a crime scene which triggers an investigation involving three law enforcement groups, multiple criminal collusions, and billions of dollars.
The 60-second teaser works even without any dialogue; empowering it are moody shots of the all-star cast in top form, as well as an original tune performed by Lera Lynn, co-written by Roseanne Cash, and produced by T. Bone Burnett (he’s the music man behind the powerful score that backed season 1). So far, so great.
True Detective premieres Sunday, June 21 on HBO.
Update: Eye the official key art below, and jump after the break to watch a new trailer–this time with dialogue!