Matthew McConaughey in a new series from the creator of "True Detective"
There is no start date yet
Following the acclaimed first season of "True Detective", Matthew McConaughey and Nic Pizzolatto are teaming up again for a series. Cole Hauser, with whom McConaughey has already worked together in front of the camera, will also be involved in the project.
As The Hollywood Reporter reports, the series, tentatively titled "The Brothers Project", will be produced by Skydance Sports. This could indicate that the setting or plot will have some form of sporting connection. However, official details are scarce.
It is also worth noting who is not involved in this project: HBO, the former home of "True Detective". The relationship between the broadcaster and series creator Pizzolatto has been strained for some time – not least because the author publicly criticized the fourth season of his own series last year. There is no start date yet.
Dark worlds, complex characters: series tips in the style of True Detective
When "True Detective" released its first season in 2014, it quickly became clear that something special was being created. Nic Pizzolatto's dark anthology series combined cinematic aesthetics with literary depth, Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson played themselves into TV history as an unequal investigative duo, and the mixture of crime story, metaphysical questions and oppressive atmosphere set new standards. But what should you do if you've already devoured "True Detective" – and are in the mood for similar series that impress with suspense, atmosphere and complex character worlds? Here are some recommendations that fans of the series should definitely have on their radar.
Mindhunter (Netflix)
Hardly any other series comes as close to the spirit of "True Detective" as "Mindhunter". Produced by David Fincher, the series delves into the early days of FBI profiler work. In the 1970s, investigators Holden Ford and Bill Tench begin to conduct interviews with imprisoned serial killers in order to understand their way of thinking – and apply these findings to current cases.
Similar to "True Detective", "Mindhunter" does not thrive on fast-paced action moments, but on intense dialog, an eerie atmosphere and a look into the depths of the human psyche. The meticulous visual design is particularly noteworthy: every scene appears to have been carefully composed, while the coldness of the offices and interrogation cells contributes to the oppressive mood. Anyone who liked Rust Cohle's philosophical monologues will also lose themselves in the psychological depth here.
The Outsider (HBO)
Based on Stephen King's novel of the same name, "The Outsider" is a dark mixture of crime drama and mystery. The series begins in classic fashion: a boy is brutally murdered and all the evidence points to a blameless citizen. But the story quickly develops into supernatural spheres – and takes investigators and viewers alike to the limits of rational explanation.
The mood of the series is strongly reminiscent of "True Detective" season 1: barren landscapes, an ever-growing threat and characters grappling with questions of truth and reality. The slow pace of the narrative intensifies the anxiety – perfect for fans who want to remain in the dark.
Top of the Lake (BBC)
The New Zealand mini-series by Jane Campion ("The Power of the Dog") combines crime elements with an intense character drama. Elisabeth Moss plays an investigator who investigates the disappearance of a young girl in a remote small town. What the series shares with "True Detective" is the oppressive atmosphere and the exploration of structural violence, secrets and human darkness. The misty mountain lakes, the barren landscape and the taciturn inhabitants create a setting that is both beautiful and menacing at the same time.
Sharp Objects (HBO)
Gillian Flynn's novel was adapted by Jean-Marc Vallée as an atmospherically dense mini-series. Amy Adams plays a journalist who returns to her hometown to report on the murder of two girls – and confronts not only the darker side of the community, but also her own traumas. As with "True Detective", the focus is not just on solving the crimes, but on the emotional depths of the characters. The series is psychologically intense, visually poetic and harrowing at the same time – and is still regarded as one of the strongest literary TV adaptations.
The Killing (AMC)
In the American adaptation of the successful Danish series ("Forbrydelsen"), we follow investigators Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder as they investigate a series of complex murders in Seattle. The first season in particular, featuring the Rosie Larsen case, is considered to be atmospherically strong and emotionally gripping. "The Killing" impresses with its rainy setting, the intense characterization and the realism of the investigative work. Instead of a quick resolution, the series offers a slow but intense immersion into the world of the suspects, the police and the families of the victims – similar to "True Detective" in Louisiana.
Conclusion: more than just crime thrillers
What makes series in the style of "True Detective" so special is not just the suspense. It's about the people, the landscapes, the social abysses and the existential questions that are woven into the stories. Whether you allow yourself to be drawn into the psyche of serial killers in "Mindhunter", immerse yourself in family traumas with "Sharp Objects" or feel the silence of New Zealand in "Top of the Lake" – all these series offer more than simple whodunits. They show that true suspense lies not only in who committed the murder, but in what the search for the truth does to the people who pursue it.
