Who Stars in True Detective Season 2?
The second season of the acclaimed HBO anthology series True Detective premiered in June 2015, to a significant amount of buzz and anticipation. The first season, which starred Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson as two troubled detectives, had received widespread critical acclaim. So, who stars in True Detective Season 2?
The New Cast: Colin Farrell and Rachel McAdams Join the Crew
The Main Characters:
- Detective Raymond "Ray" Velcoro played by Colin Farrell: A troubled detective with a mysterious past.
- Ani Bezzerides played by Rachel McAdams: A California highway patrolwoman investigating a cold case.
- Cheryl Anne Watts played by Rachel McAdams: The missing wife of a state senator, later revealed to be a fake identity created by Ani.
- Detective James "Jim" Gutierrez played by Matthew Skipass: A dedicated and no-nonsense investigator.
- Detective Frank Semyon played by Kelly Reilly: A chess player who becomes entangled in the case.
Supporting Characters:
- Anton Calhoun played by Ted Levine: A retired cop with connections to the case.
- Dwight Cunningham played by Michael Shamus Wiles: A mysterious and ruthless individual tied to the case.
- Michael Greyills played by Joshua Davis: A chess player and partner of Frank Semyon.
Behind the Camera:
- Creators: Nic Pizzolatto, who also created the first season, is back as the showrunner and writer of all 8 episodes.
- Director: Justin Lin (Fast and Furious franchise, Star Trek Beyond) helms three episodes, with Jeremy Podeswa directing the rest.
Table: Key Cast Members
| Character | Actor | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Raymond "Ray" Velcoro | Colin Farrell | Troubled detective |
| Ani Bezzerides | Rachel McAdams | Highway patrolwoman, investigating a cold case |
| Frank Semyon | Kelly Reilly | Chess player, entangled in the case |
| Jim Gutierrez | Matthew Skipass | Dedicated investigator |
The Storyline:**
True Detective Season 2 is set in California’s Vinci Valley and explores a complex web of corruption, deceit, and murder. The story is told through multiple timelines and perspectives, jumping back and forth between the 1980s and the present day. The narrative centers around three main storylines:
• **The Caspere Murder:** A wealthy developer, Frank Semyon, is investigating the murder of his business partner, Frank’s wife.
• **The Highway Patrol Case:** Ani Bezzerides is investigating the disappearance of a state senator’s wife, which turns out to be a pawn in a larger game.
• **The Vinci Investigation:** The city of Vinci is facing financial ruin and corruption, which ties together the multiple storylines.
**Table: Key Plot Points**
| Timeline | Event |
| — | — |
| 1980 | Caspere’s murder, setting the stage for the season |
| Present day | Velcoro’s investigation begins, and the mystery deepens |
| Flashbacks | Key events from the 1980s unfold, connecting the storylines |
True Detective Season 2 features a complex, layered storyline that explores themes of identity, morality, and the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of small-town America. With an impressive cast, including Colin Farrell and Rachel McAdams, and a rich, atmospheric score, this season is not to be missed.
