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Mahershala Ali could make you care about 'True Detective' again

If there's one man who could save it...

Mahershala Ali could make you care about 'True Detective' again
Tom Victor
03 July 2017

The first season of ‘True Detective’ was one of the decade’s most groundbreaking shows, but there’s a danger that everyone will benefit apart from those who brought it to life.

Launched slap bang in the middle of the McConnaisance, it was one of the most significant examples to show us drama series in the 2010s could be less than 10 episodes per season.

Those first eight hours, with Matthew McConaughey’s Rust Cohle butting heads with Woody Harrelson’s Marty Hart, were an exercise in tight writing and fantastic use of scenery.

But then season two happened. Fresh off a sea of #TrueDetectiveSeason2 memes, the eventual casting of Colin Farrell and Vince Vaughan – and the mixed reviews that followed – left some wishing the producers had actually gone for one of the joke suggestions instead.

But wait, we’re getting a third season…and it might involve the one man capable of restoring the show to its lofty perch.

Mahershala Ali, of Moonlight and House of Cards and being-that-guy-who-everyone-loves fame, is reportedly in talks to star in the third season of the crime drama.

Oscar-winning Mahershala Ali in the Oscar-winning 'Moonlight'

As reported by The Tracking Board, Ali is thought to be close to committing to the show. It would be his first big TV role since he won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in Moonlight.

There’s no word yet on who else is potentially attached, but Ali on his own looking wistful for eight hours wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world.

Maybe it’s time to put some of those other speculative ideas on the back burner.

(Main image: Rex Features)