After Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey took over in "True Detective' during the first season, the show returns for a second run with a completely different vibe.
The first season, created by Nic Pizzolatto, saw the two award-winning actors portray former homicide investigator partners as they find themselves under investigation for their approach in handling a 17-year-old murder case.
The series strongly appealed to viewers, raked in positive reviews among critics and bagged multiple awards. However, with the beginning of a new series, it remains a big question whether it had been the chemistry between Harrelson and McConaughey that brought the series to life, or the fact that Pizzolatto does have serious skills in coming up with gripping scenes.
The second season of the acclaimed hit series takes place in California, where three detectives are given the task of conducting an investigation of a murder of a city manager.
Rachel McAdams takes on the role of tough detective Antigone Bezzerides while Colin Farrell portrays her partner Ray Velcoro, an equally bold and brave detective.
Taylor Kitsch, who previously starred in "Friday Night Lights' plays a highway patrolman in California named Paul Woodrugh. Together, these characters attempt to find the murderer of the city manager, who was supposedly lending a hand to businessman Vince Vaughn in a land development deal.
One of the most evident changes in the new season is the number of characters as the first season mainly revolved around Rust Cohle (McConaughey) and Marty Hart (Harrelson). In contrast, season two follows an ensemble in which a woman also takes on a leading role and exerts much effort in fighting prostitution and other equally relevant issues.
"It's different, the second season, for sure," Colin Farrell told E! News earlier this month. "There's a similarity and a certain tone that the piece has that I think resonated with me as having a tone that was reflective of the tone of the first year and a sensibility that's the same."
The characters, however, are entirely different along with the story's pace and aesthetics, as the 39-year-old actor explained.
Moreover, the first season of "True Detective' took place in Louisiana while the new one takes place in the fictional Vinci city in California. Despite an urban setting, the series continues to be surrounded with feelings of despair and isolation.
"True Detective' season two has already premiered on HBO over the weekend.
