Mahershala Ali is reported to be in early talks to star in a potential third season of True Detective.
The Luke Cage star is currently in demand after his Oscar-winning turn in Moonlight, Barry Jenkins’ celebrated coming-of-age feature. A third season has not yet received a formal green light, but it has been in the works for a while. Ali’s appearance will attract even more viewers to the show.
In January, HBO President of Programming Casey Bloys indicated that he was “hopeful” about a third installment because creator Nic Pizzolatto was “closing in on an idea that he was excited about.” In addition, David Milch came on board earlier this year to work with Pizzolatto on Season 3.
Sources caution that Ali’s deal hasn’t closed yet, but insiders are confident that it will. As of yet, there is no word on who the actor might be playing in the new season. Plot details regarding season 3 are yet to be revealed.
HBO has a tradition of casting big names in True Detective, including Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson in Season 1, and Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams and Taylor Kitsch in Season 2. The show has never had an African-American lead before.