Night Country stirred up much controversy among True Detective fans. On one hand, season 4 of the anthology, created by showrunner Issa López, attracted 12.7 million cross-platform viewers and became the series’ most-watched season.
On the other hand, the fourth instalment received a lot of criticism on social media. Among the complaints were the introduction of supernatural themes, bland characters and boring filler scenes. In particular, the season finale, which explained the whole mystery, was met with disappointment and hostility.
Also joining the critics of Night Country was Nic Pizzolatto, the original creator of True Detective and co-writer of seasons 1-3. He stated that he didn’t like the new showrunner’s vision, and clarified that he’d had no influence on the shape of season 4.
Despite the turmoil, just days after Night Country’s final episode premiered, HBO green-lit season 5 of True Detective. Interestingly, Issa López will be at the helm of the next season as a part of the overall deal she signed with HBO.
True Detective season 5 release date
According to HBO’s Head of Drama Series and Film Francesca Orsi, the fifth season will premiere in 2027.
Therefore, viewers must prepare for a long wait. However, in the case of True Detective, this isn’t surprising, as subsequent instalments of the show have appeared irregularly. Seasons 1 and 2 were separated by only a year and a half, but fans had to wait more than 3 years for the third instalment. Then, it was another 5 years before Night Country appeared.
True Detective season 5 plot
As Francesca Orsi revealed in the statement for Deadline, the new season is moving from Alaska to a more welcoming location – Jamaica Bay, New York. Thus, the sea and sand will replace the snowy landscape, creating a new vibe for the crime story.
It’s set in New York, in Jamaica Bay. Issa has a lot to say, not unlike she did with Night Country. It’s a different milieu but just as powerful.
By design, each season of True Detective tells a standalone tale and features new characters, in a new location. At this point, it’s unclear what the next series season will be about, however, Issa López revealed in December 2024 that the plot of season 4 and 5 will be connected (via New York Post) :
There’s going to be some important connections between everything that happens in Ennis, Alaska, and the characters in Ennis, Alaska, and what happens in the new [season]. That said, it’s a new story, new characters, everything. But… there’s a little bit of joy for the fans of Night Country.
An interesting thread initiated in season 1 is a mysterious cult linked to the rich and influential Tuttle family. The organisation’s symbol is a spiral – the same one that runs through all episodes of Night Country.
In the first season, information about the cult is vague, and season 4 multiplies mysteries rather than clarifies them. Perhaps in season 5, Issa López will delve into this plot line and finally explain what the strange cult, the spirals and the King in Yellow are all about.
HBO
True Detective season 5 cast
Casting for the new season is currently in the early stages.
According to Jodie Foster, her character, the police officer Liz Denvers, won’t be back in the fifth instalment of the series. The return of Kali Reis, who starred as Evangeline Navarro, is equally doubtful. In the season finale, the police officer disappears, and one theory about her disappearance is suicide.
True Detective season 5 trailer
It’s too early yet for HBO to release a trailer for the new season. However, if you feel like immersing yourself in the Alaskan snow again, watch the Night Country announcement:
How can I watch True Detective?
In the US, you can stream True Detective on HBO and Max – accounts start from $9.99 per month for ad-supported viewing.
UK viewers can watch the series on Sky Atlantic for Sky TV customers, and on the streaming service Now – which has packages starting from £6.99 per month for its Entertainment Membership.
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