Colin Farrell, Vince Vaughn to Star in next instalment of True Detective

HBO at last has confirmed the first specifics about season two of drama series ‘True Detective’, including the casting of Colin Farrell and Vince Vaughn in lead roles. Farrell plays Ray Velcoro, a compromised detective whose allegiances are torn between his masters in a corrupt police department and the mobster who owns him. Vaughn plays Frank Semyon, a man in danger of losing his criminal empire when his move into legitimate enterprise is upended by the murder of a business partner.

Either way, the formula is working: magnetize movie stars to the small screen with a promise of lots of prestige, attention, and only eight episodes to film. Though Farrell isn’t quite as busy as he used to be in his glory movie days (‘S.W.A.T.,’ ‘In Bruges,’ ‘Alexander’), he’s still considered a get. Even more so Vince Vaughn, the go-to guy for bro comedies (‘Wedding Crashers,’ ‘The Internship,’ ‘Couple’s Retreat’).

Series creator Nic Pizzolatto is again penning all eight episodes for the new season and “Fast and Furious” helmer Justin Lin is on board to direct the first two episodes of the eight-episode season. Lensing is set to begin later this fall in California for a January premiere. The success of the first series, which was buoyed by the star power of Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, has set the bar high for season two.