History of True Detective in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 18, 2026

True Detective is an American anthology crime drama television series created by Nic Pizzolatto for HBO. Each season presents a self-contained narrative with new characters, settings, and cast ensembles. The series premiered on January 12, 2014.

1980: Setting of True Detective Season 3

In 1980, two missing children become the focal point of the third season of True Detective. The series follows Arkansas schoolteacher Amelia Reardon, who has a connection to the case.

2001: Six Feet Under viewership

In 2001, Six Feet Under had 11.4 million viewers.

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2003: The Handsome Family releases Singing Bones

In 2003, The Handsome Family composed and released "Far from Any Road" on their album Singing Bones. This alternative country song was later chosen as True Detective's season one opening theme.

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2008: Alex DiGerlando works on Glory at Sea

In 2008, Alex DiGerlando, who later became the production designer for True Detective's first season, worked on Benh Zeitlin's film Glory at Sea.

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2010: Boardwalk Empire debut viewership

In 2010, Boardwalk Empire had 4.8 million viewers.

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2011: Matthew McConaughey in The Lincoln Lawyer

In 2011, Matthew McConaughey's performance in the thriller film The Lincoln Lawyer caught the attention of Nic Pizzolatto, leading to McConaughey's casting in True Detective as Detective Rustin "Rust" Cohle.

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January 12, 2014: True Detective Series Premiere

On January 12, 2014, True Detective, an American anthology crime drama television series created by Nic Pizzolatto, premiered on the premium cable network HBO.

January 2014: Pizzolatto renews contract with HBO

In January 2014, Nic Pizzolatto signed a two-year contract extension with HBO, renewing the series for two additional seasons.

2014: Leonard Cohen releases Popular Problems album

In 2014, Leonard Cohen's "Nevermind", a song from Cohen's album Popular Problems, became the opening theme for season two of True Detective. The lyrics of the theme song would change with every episode, incorporating different verses from Cohen's song.

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August 2017: HBO greenlights third season

In August 2017, HBO officially greenlit the third season of True Detective, which takes place in the Ozarks over three decades.

March 2018: Daniel Sackheim joins as director

In March 2018, Daniel Sackheim joined the True Detective team as a director for the third season, co-directing the remaining six episodes with Nic Pizzolatto.

March 2022: Fourth season in development

In March 2022, it was reported that a fourth season of True Detective was in development, with Issa López writing a pilot episode and Barry Jenkins as executive producer.

May 2022: Jodie Foster to star in fourth season

In May 2022, it was reported that Jodie Foster would star in a lead role for the fourth season of True Detective.

June 2022: Fourth season greenlit, Kali Reis cast

In June 2022, HBO officially greenlit the fourth season of True Detective, and Kali Reis was cast in the lead role of Evangeline Navarro.

September 2022: Additional cast members announced

In September 2022, John Hawkes, Christopher Eccleston, Fiona Shaw, Finn Bennett, and Anna Lambe joined the cast of True Detective's fourth season.

October 2022: Final cast members

In October 2022, Aka Niviâna, Isabella Star LaBlanc and Joel D. Montgrand joined the cast of True Detective's fourth season.

November 8, 2022: Production commences on fourth season

On November 8, 2022, HBO confirmed that production on the fourth season of True Detective had commenced.

April 2023: Filming completed on fourth season

In early April 2023, Producer Mari-Jo Winkler and writer-director Issa López announced that filming had finished for the fourth season of True Detective.