Following the conclusion of its fourth season, the premium cable network has renewed the anthology for a fifth season. Furthermore, Issa López, the showrunner for Night Country, has inked a general contract with the cable network owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. She will resume her leadership role for the fifth season of the series, having taken over from its creator, Nic Pizzolatto. Additionally, Lopez will design and develop fresh HBO initiatives.
HBO’s head of drama Francesca Orsi stated in a statement,“Issa López is that one-of-a-kind, rare talent that speaks directly to HBO’s creative spirit. She helmed True Detective: Night Country from start to finish, never once faltering from her own commendable vision, and inspiring us with her resilience both on the page and behind the camera,” “Alongside Jodie [Foster] and Kali [Reis]’ impeccable performances, she’s made this installation of the franchise a massive success, we are so lucky to have her as part of our family.”
With 12.7 million viewers across various platforms, Night Country surpasses the first season of the anthology as the most watched season of True Detective. After creator Pizzolatto’s overall HBO contract expired and the showrunner chose to transfer to Disney in an agreement he later terminated early, López was chosen to take over the franchise. HBO was keen to give the property to a fresh voice even though they still control the series. Nevertheless, Pizzolatto continues to get payment and be listed as an executive producer even though he had no part in Night Country.
Pizzolatto, who is presently developing a Western for Amazon in addition to a few other projects, has publicly criticized Night Country on social media, using phrases like “can’t blame me.” Reis, Night Country’s co-star, defended the film, calling it “a damn shame” that the creator of True Detective was unable to back the new episode. However, it seems that the current trend is to “But hey I guess ‘if you don’t have anything good to share, shit on others’ is the new wave,” the woman wrote. In numerous interviews, Lopez has stated that she was inspired to create a show set in the same universe by Pizzolatto’s seasons of the franchise.
“Night Country has been the most beautiful collaboration and adventure of my entire creative life, from conception to release,” López said in a statement on Thursday. “HBO trusted my vision all the way, and the idea of bringing to life a new incarnation of True Detective with Casey [Bloys], Francesca and the whole team is a dream come true. I can’t wait to go again.”
After the season ended, Lopez spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about her idea for a follow-up and how she would “weave the mystery” differently to stay up with the real-life true investigators who became hooked with the show.
Season one stars Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, Pizzolatto, Emmy-winning director Cary Joji Fukunaga, Mari Jo Winkler, Barry Jenkins, Adele Romanski, Mark Ceryak, Chris Mundy, Alan Page Arriaga, Steve Golin, Richard Brown, and López are all listed as executive producers on season four.
HBO’s scripted dramas include The Last of Us, Euphoria, House of the Dragon, The Gilded Age, and the soon-to-be The Regime and The Sympathizer, in addition to True Detective. Big Little Lies may have a third season in the works, however HBO has not yet formally received a pitch for a new season.