Colin Farrell confirms his casting as a lead on ‘True Detective’ Season 2

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Well, at least some of the casting rumors for True Detective Season 2 were true. We heard, months ago, that Colin Farrell and Taylor Kitsch were maybe/probably going to be playing two of the male leads. And now Colin has confirmed the news to an Irish newspaper. He said, in part:

“I’m doing the second series. I’m so excited. I know it will be eight episodes and take around four or five months to shoot. I know very little about it, but we’re shooting in the environs of Los Angeles which is great. It means I get to stay at home and see the kids.”

[From Uproxx]

This news doesn’t piss me off, but I’m not jumping for joy either. Colin has always been a better actor than people believe, so I think he’ll probably do well in this role, whatever it is. But it’s also sort of… anti-climactic, you know?

So far, there’s been no hard confirmation about Taylor Kitsch. The rumor was that Kitsch was really pursuing the role, to the point where they stopped auditioning Garrett Hedlund for the same part. Which, I don’t know, I think is sort of a mistake? If Hedlund was showing interest in a role, why would you toss him aside for Taylor Kitsch? Hedlund is extremely talented, I’m just saying.

There were other rumors about Vince Vaughn and… Elisabeth Moss. I was really, really excited about the Moss rumors, but there hasn’t been anything new about her specifically in a while. Then last week, The Wrap said that producers are actually looking at SEVEN actresses for the female lead and the list is: Rosario Dawson, Jessica Biel, Malin Akerman, Jaimie Alexander, Brit Marling, Oona Chaplin, and Kelly Reilly. BIEL? Jaimie Alexander? Kelly Reilly? I mean, the list is okay, but sort of blandy bland bland. I wonder why Moss’s name isn’t being mentioned anymore? And if Colin Farrell is for-sure, doesn’t that mean that Biel is out? They starred together in the Total Recall remake and no one wants to be reminded of that.

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Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.

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62 Responses to “Colin Farrell confirms his casting as a lead on ‘True Detective’ Season 2”

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  1. Abbott says:

    I’m hoping it’s Biel’s people just talking non sense. Like when Blake Lively’s name was being tossed around for Daisy Buchanon, which lol.

  2. Kali says:

    I can’t WAIT to see what Colin Farrell does with his role, there is massive potential for awesomeness with this casting (if anyone wants to argue with me, I will come at you with my copies of “Seven Psychopaths” and “In Bruges”….). Now, if we could just get Rosario Dawson locked down, that would be awesome! As much as I love Elizabeth Moss, I think True Detective execs would be looking to avoid any/all comparisons to “Top of the Lake”.

    • Kiddo says:

      This makes me almost want to pay for HBO, almost. “In Bruges” was a fantastic film. I wondered why it hadn’t generated more buzz at the time.

      • Kali says:

        @Kiddo: Do iiiit! DOOOO IIIIT!! As in the HBO thing 😉 Re “In Bruges”, I think it’s one of those movies like “Shawshank Redemption” as in it didn’t do well in initial cinematic release but it’s really built up a massive cult following.

      • Chris2 says:

        Kali and Kiddo
        See if you can find Intermission, tiny budget Irish film, also starring Cillian Murphy. Colin is tremendous.

      • Olenna says:

        Cult? Then I’m an In Bruges Moonie. Everything about that movie was perfect.

      • Kali says:

        @Chris2 – thanks for the recommendation. I’m intrigued by just the cast list alone, will check it out.

        @Olenna: I mean cult in the sense that it’s not the top of everyone’s list but those who love it (me😄) rave about it (also me😄). I’m personally hope that Farrell’s character is some sort of Irish transplant (it could totally happen, right?) He’s so good when he’s able to keep his natural accent.

      • Olenna says:

        @Kali, no need to explain. I was just joking! I understood your reference to cult, as in cult classic. I really do love that movie. It’s was just so smartly written and the entire cast was phenomenal. I cannot see nor hear the word “alcoves” without thinking of that movie!

    • Davy says:

      Yes. This is great, Colin is great with the right material (In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths, Crazy Heart , Tigerland, A Home at the End of the Workd etc). I think he has made some poor choices and the more well known flops are what stick out in people’s memory. I think he has talent and will prove it to people with TD season 2.

      I also have a soft spot for him because I think he has qualities of an actual movie star, he’s good for gossip, and gives a great interview. Very few of them are compelling and watchable in an interview, Colin always gives you something to talk about and is honest to a fault. It’s refreshing when someone just presents as they are without all the PR bullshit, even if they end up with their foot in their mouth.

      So, YES. And it hope Rosario Dawson out of that list. Too bad Cary isn’t directing, but I have good faith. I generally find second seasons to be underwhelming after a solid first season, but will try to let it stand on it’s own as it is a new story & characters.

      • Jordan says:

        I agree Davy. I love Colin Farrell and think he can be brilliant with the right role. Unfortunately all people remember are his flops. I’m totally stoked for this!

  3. Lottie says:

    I’d really like to see Vince Vaughn return in this drama. He’s done too much comedy, and I think he has the acting chops to do a great job on the series. But have to say, Woody and Matthew set the bar pretty high.

    • Anthea says:

      I think not only did they set the bar high, but it was a slight surprise how good they were together. I thought I’d like them, which is why I watched, but I didn’t expect to love the series so much. This time it’s harder because there’s way more anticipation.

    • Alex says:

      I agree their chemistry was off the charts. It’s going to be hard to top it. I always thought those two had great on screen chemistry. They play off each other really well. Luckily they are both producers on the show so hopefully they will help make a great season 2. I’m actually not mad at Colin for the lead. Hopefully they cast someone great opposite him. And Moss for the lead would be amazing

    • Decloo says:

      I watched ‘True Detective’ and thought the acting was great but the show only so-so. The reason I watched it was for the incomparable Woody/Matthew combo. To me, they were the best part of the show. I, frankly, did not find it so compelling as to watch it again with a new cast.

  4. Lex says:

    Haha Oona Chaplin was pretty universally panned for her GoT work… good luck with that!

    • Sixer says:

      Oona Chaplin would make great publicity, though. She’s a stroppy one. I really like her for her unabashed obnoxiousness. She’s just done some pretty good work in a BBC WWI drama, too.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        HBO tends to use actors and actresses in multiple productions so it wouldn’t be surprising for her to show up in it.

    • magda says:

      but mostly because her character was big WTF is this, worst changing of the book storyline since True Blood.
      I mean what she could do with so poor material? And I’m saying this as a GoT fan.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        True. I think most of the reaction was because the character and the character’s arc was such a departure from Jeyne in the books. Of course, Jeyne in the books was pretty much a “pretty little thing” non-entity that it is understandable they would try to make someone who plays such a pivotal role more interesting but it didn’t work.

    • Lex says:

      Oh my – I mistook Oona with the actress who played Shae… what is her name? My mistake! Oona was fine, if not a little bland. For a made up character, she could have been more adventurous.

  5. Dedre says:

    I’m not so excited about this. Matthew flew under the romcom radar for years and then killed at everything he touched last year. Colin had his time in 2005-2007, but we’re all over it now. I don’t want True Detective to become a “comeback vehicle” for washed up stars. It should stick to having the huge movie stars.

    • Meme says:

      I agree. I’d rather up and coming a tore like Kitcsch and Hedlund that hasbeens who blew their shot at superstardom. Colin is a good actor but he’s B-list forever.

    • Kiddo says:

      The fact that they had MM seems to indicate that they don’t mind using actors who don’t fancy ‘washing up’.

    • FingerBinger says:

      @Dedre I wouldn’t call Woody Harrelson “washed up” since he was in the first season of TD too. Colin Farrell’s time was more like 2002 to 2007. He was in every other movie during those times. He’s not my cup of tea. I think there are at least a dozen other actors that would have been better, but he’s an OK actor. I think he’ll do well on TD.

    • Tiffany :) says:

      I don’t care what level a person’s career is at…I think they set the bar high in Season 1 because the leads were GREAT ACTORS. That should be the requirement, period.

      I think Colin is a great actor. I hope they respect their female viewers by not only including a strong and well written female character, but also by casting a female with TALENT.

  6. Chris2 says:

    *sigh*
    Great way to start the week! I’m an utter Farrelloonie, so I’m thrilled. Hope I can get the series via the innerwebs.
    (He rarely takes a bad pic, imo, but that main one ^^^ in the double-breasted jacket’s rather unforch.)

  7. Tanguerita says:

    Moss just played a tough detective girl in “Top of the lake”. As talented as she is, I wouldn’t be so excited to see her being typecast. Farrell is ok, albeit not particularly talented and Biel is just a bad joke.

  8. Tiffany27 says:

    Yes to Jessica Chastain. I hope she’s cast next. She’s brilliant.

    ETA: Oops, that says Jessica Biel, welp nvm.

  9. Sixer says:

    Meh. I can’t get excited about Farrell. Not a fan.

  10. Artimis says:

    Actually I think he will be great (remember In Brugges?) – he can really bring the darkness and the emotion when he needs to. I don’t even want to THINK about Biel being cast. Just no.
    And please please not Taylor Kitsch. Pleeeeeeeeeeaseeeeeeeeeee no.

  11. Pix says:

    I have a soft spot for Colin and think he’s a great actor. I just loved him in Crazy Heart as a country singer. I can’t wait to see what they do for season 2.

  12. Peony says:

    I’ve never thought he was that great an actor. There are a few roles he got really right but most of the time I think he’s just … ok. He is better as a supporting actor than the lead, imo.

    His personal life is always more interesting. Dated a teenager last spring who blogged about it. Said he was sleazy. His 2nd baby mama is looking preggers with her new/old BF who is a billionaire’s son. Will she leave LA with Colin’s kid and go back to Poland? Oh, the drama!! 😉

    • Ash says:

      He date a teenager last spring? First, I’ve heard of this…was it real or madeip fanfic? I’m intrigued or just bored, not sure which one.

    • sunshine says:

      Fascinated by the story of him dating a teenager and she wrote about it?Do you remember where you read this?

    • Lori says:

      Are you sure you’re not mixing him up with James Franco who tried to get a date with a teenager on line?

      • Ash says:

        I think the orginal mixed up the actors as well. The only male celebrity that I recall trying to date a teenager was Franco as you said.

        I’ve never been a huge Franco fan, but at least he owned up to it, I suppose.

      • Ash says:

        Edit on my post: male actor trying to hook up with a teenager this spring.

      • molly says:

        There’s no mix up with Franco.

        The 17 year old girl wrote about it on a site that can’t be linked here. She didn’t use Colin’s name but everything matched with where he was filming at the time and there was a pic of them together.

        There were a few entries but I believe only one was about Colin, others people thought they were all about him. I don’t think so.

        They met just 3 times. He kissed her, walked through a park , sat on the bench, he put her leg over his and played with her shoelaces, and he talked A LOT. It was pretty innocent but still inappropriate for someone his age to go out with a girl who looked her age.

    • sunshine says:

      I would really like to read about this. Surprises me as thought he had better sense/decency than that. I have searched on internet but can’t find anything. Do you remember where occurred? Which country?

      • Ash says:

        Agreed, i want to read it, because I haven’t heard any of this about Colin until now. I want to see the “proof.” Here say, and a pic means nothing. Proof!

  13. Hautie says:

    I suspect if their is a corpse, that has a couple of episodes of just hanging around… that is why Jessica Biel is there. : )

    And I would love for Vince Vaughn to end up with this show.

  14. stellalovejoydiver says:

    I doubt the female character will get much to do, the list of rather subpar actresses considered for this are just a further proof. My vote would be Brit Marling.

    Also no to Taylor Kitsch.

  15. BendyWindy says:

    While I’m not her biggest fan, I can’t believe Rosario Dawson is even being mentioned in the same breath as Jessica Biel. Bizarre.

  16. Mia4S says:

    To quote…a lot of movies, “I have a bad feeing about this.”.

    Nothing against Farrall but between the loss of the original director, the huge hype (likely overhype), and that list of actresses (WTF??). I don’t think this is going to turn out the way everyone hopes.

  17. Gretchen says:

    Oh Colin. I still would.

    I first saw him in Tigerland when I was 16 and that was it. Even though my head has said “no” so many times, no matter how grubby he gets my biscuits still say “yes”. *shrugs*

  18. Eleonor says:

    I can see him in TD, but Jessica Biel ?? That is an awful idea, really.

  19. Lori says:

    The appeal of this show was in the directing not the acting. And Cary Fukunaga is not going to direct this season of the show.

  20. Hissyfit says:

    I’m embarrassed to admit that I enjoyed Total Recall. Lol. I always have a soft spot for Colin. He and Jolie looked so cute together back in the day and I remember being pissed when Pitt came in to the picture. But obviously it worked out for the best. Lol.

  21. smcollins says:

    I love this. I was excited about him being cast when the rumors first started, so this is awesome news!
    The list of potential female leads is kind of blah. If there’s any truth about Elisabeth Moss, though, I’m all for it.

  22. vv007 says:

    I would love to see Rosario Dawson in this! I quite like her. I also want Taylor. Don’t care for Hedlund that much.

  23. allheavens says:

    Colin will do just fine. He can be a very good actor, even great when given the right material (see Tigerland, Minority Report, A Home at the End of the World, In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths).

    But Biel just no, please no.

  24. Dawn says:

    I like Colin so I am good with his casting…now they just have cast someone who can keep up with Colin.

  25. Yup says:

    I actually hope it isn’t moss. Something about her constant bitch scowl annoys me. I’m not really impressed with her acting range.

  26. NEENAZEE says:

    The first season of TD was amazing… I hope they can match its quirkiness and intensity with the new season. Colin will do a great job… but Taylor Kitsch? No thanks. Never seen any real depth there.

    With the exception of Moss and Reilly, most of the female leads are just laughable. I mean… Malin Akerman? Jessica Biel? Thor Girl? Really? What male-casting-director-with-a-boner threw their names into the mix? ROTF LMAO

  27. Isabelle says:

    Finally some TD news! I’m hoping more so we hear about Taylor Kitsch news (is he in or out). He was great in The Normal Heart & would like to see what he can actually do, think he may have some surprising good acting chops.

  28. kri says:

    I am so onboard with Colin Farrell in this. I think he’s a damned good actor, just had some rough years and made some crappy choices. I have a feeling he is going ti nail this part. I am simply going to tell myself that Jessica Ramen-Biel will not be cast as anything. Kelly Reilly I love, though.

    • Irishae says:

      Agreed, I’m really excited. I have irrational hatred of certain celebrities, but I also have irrational love for a few. Colin Farrell is the latter. He’s not consistent at all and has had lots of sleazy personal drama, but I give him a pass on everything for no reason other than I just like him. I was soo hoping this TD role would materialize. Yay!

  29. ShiveryKitten says:

    Jessica Biel was surprisingly good in ‘The Truth About Emmanuel’. Going on that performance, I’m rooting for her.

  30. Lulu says:

    Oona would be fantastic, she was great in The Hour.