HBO Confirms It's Tied Down Mahershala Ali For New 'True Detective' Series

He was one of 2016 biggest stars, and now he's joining one of HBO's biggest TV shows.

As the Television Critics Association press tour kicked off today, HBO made the biggest waves with confirmation that Mahershala Ali will be starring in the third season of True Detective.

The network channel's programming president, Casey Bloys, confirmed the news and added that he's already read 'five great scripts' from show's writer, Nic Pizzolatto.

Credit: PA

Many fans have welcome the news, while Pizzolatto is also rumoured with NYPD Blue and Deadwood creator, David Milch, for the scripts.

Bloys, on the writing for series three, said: "All I'll tell you is I'm very, very impressed and excited about what I've read. I don't want to give away the storyline, but I think they're terrific."

Credit: HBO

The show now has to find a director. After using Cary Fukunaga for season one, the second season using seven different directors.

However, the news of Ali's casting will delight fans. The 43-year-old actor got his film break almost ten years ago in The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, and has since gone on to star in Hidden Figures and The Hunger Games, amongst others.

His performance in Moonlight, released in 2016, helped the film to win the Oscar for best film, and he too picked up the away for best supporting actor.

Ali's TV work his also highly acclaimed, having played Remy Danton for three years in House Of Cards, and Cornell 'Cottonmouth' Stokes in Luke Cage.

Fans were delighted at the thought of Ali coming to HBO.

There has been no set release date for the third season of True Detective.

Last year, Bloys' HBO predecessor Michael Lombardo commented that he felt the show's second season had been 'rushed'.

He said: "I'll tell you something. Our biggest failures - and I don't know if I would consider True Detective 2 a failure - but when we tell somebody to hit an air date as opposed to allowing the writing to find its own natural resting place, when it's ready, when it's baked - we've failed."

Here's hoping they've learned from this for season three.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: HBO

Michael Minay

Mike Minay is a trending journalist at LADbible. He’s co-ordinated interviews with some of the big names from the world of news and sport including ITV’s Robert Peston, Sky Sports’ Jeff Stelling and darts champion Michael van Gerwen. His reporting days began on University radio in Birmingham, before moving to BBC Sport Online – creating content for large events such as Wimbledon and the FA Cup final. Mike still commentates on Football League matches at the weekend. A Manchester LAD at heart.

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