The fourth season of True Detective, an American anthology crime drama television series created by Nic Pizzolatto, is set to premiere on January 14, 2024, on HBO. The season is set in the fictional town of Ennis, Alaska, and follows the investigation behind the disappearance of eight men from a research station. The season stars Jodie Foster and Kali Reis as Detectives Liz Danvers and Evangeline Navarro. It is the first season to carry a subtitle, Night Country.
Issa López serves as showrunner, writer, and director. It is the first season without series creator Nic Pizzolatto as showrunner or writer, but he still serves as an executive producer.
Cast
Main cast
Jodie Foster as Liz Danvers
Kali Reis as Evangeline Navarro
Finn Bennett as Peter Prior
Fiona Shaw as Rose Aguineau
Christopher Eccleston as Ted Corsaro
Isabella Star LaBlanc as Leah Danvers
John Hawkes as Hank Prior
Recurring cast
Anna Lambe as Kayla Malee
Aka Niviâna as Julia Navarro
Joel D. Montgrand as Eddie Qavvik
Production
Development
Before the release of the third season, Nic Pizzolatto explained that he had a "really, really wild" idea for a potential fourth season. After the season finished airing, he explained that he decided to drop his idea, intending to use a new idea after discussing with an unnamed actor about the project. In July 2019, Casey Bloys, HBO president of programming, explained that "If Nic has an idea that he is excited about, we will talk about it but not rushing into anything."
In January 2020, Pizzolatto signed an overall production deal with Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions, putting into question his involvement in a potential fourth season. By next year, HBO was already considering a fourth season of the series, working with some writers in ideas, some of which included Lucía Puenzo and Sam Levinson. Bloys later said, "There's something in the True Detective area, there's things we're feeling good about. I would say stay tuned on that one."
In March 2022, HBO announced that a fourth season entered into development, which would carry a subtitle, Night Country, a first for the series. The first episode would be written by Issa López, who would also direct it. López would executive produce the season, alongside Barry Jenkins, Adele Romanski and Mark Ceryak. In June 2022, HBO officially greenlit the season, with López serving as showrunner. Pizzolatto would remain as an executive producer, marking his first season without a writing credit.
Casting
In May 2022, Jodie Foster was confirmed to star in the season, marking her first starring role in a TV series since 1975. In June 2022, it was reported that Kali Reis would join Foster as co-lead.
In September 2022, it was reported that John Hawkes, Christopher Eccleston, Fiona Shaw, Finn Bennett, and Anna Lambe would also appear in the season. In October 2022, Aka Niviâna, Isabella Star LaBlanc and Joel D. Montgrand joined the season.
Filming
The season was filmed in Iceland, with a reported budget of $60 million. Filming began in November 2022, and wrapped in April 2023.
Release
Broadcast
The fourth season is set to premiere on January 14, 2024. It was originally intended to premiere in 2023.
Marketing
A first look was unveiled in December 2022 during an HBO sizzle reel. In April 2023, the first trailer for the season was released.