A bizarre murder brings together three law-enforcement officers and a career criminal, each of whom must navigate a web of conspiracy and betrayal in the scorched landscapes of California. Colin Farrell is Ray Velcoro, a compromised detective in the all-industrial City of Vinci, LA County. Vince Vaughn plays Frank Semyon, a criminal and entrepreneur in danger of losing his life’s work, while his wife and closest ally (Kelly Reilly), struggles with his choices and her own. Rachel McAdams is Ani Bezzerides, a Ventura County Sheriff’s detective often at odds with the system she serves, while Taylor Kitsch plays Paul Woodrugh, a war veteran and motorcycle cop for the California Highway Patrol who discovers a crime scene which triggers an investigation involving three law enforcement groups, multiple criminal collusions, and billions of dollars.
Information
| Rachel as: | Ani Bezzerides |
| Other cast: | Colin Farrell (Detective Ray Velcoro), Vince Vaughn (Frank Semyon), Taylor Kitsch (Officer Paul Woodrugh), & Kelly Reilly (Jordan Semyon). |
| Alternative Title: | None |
| Created by: | Nic Pizzolatto |
| Production Status: | Available on DVD/Blu-Ray/Digital HD |
| Release: | June 21, 2015 |
| Genre: | Crime/Drama/Mystery |
| Distributor: | HBO |
| Run time: | 55 min |
| Producers: | Aida Rodgers |
| Original Music by: | T Bone Burnett |
| Cinematography by: | Nigel Bluck |
Related Media
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Production Notes
True Detective is written and created by Nic Pizzolatto. The first two of this season’s eight episodes will be directed by Justin Lin.
Production Process
Production began late November 2014 and wrapped up in May 2015. The series filmed in Los Angeles and Los Angeles area. To prepare for the role, Rachel went on a ride-along and shadowed cops.
Trivia & Facts
Quotes from Rachel
“[It’s] the job of a lifetime. I love the exploration of someone who has such a different background from you. That exploration runs to compassion, and to cracking yourself open and creating more understanding of how weird and amazing life is.”
–On why she signed on (Marie Claire)
“I judge projects by the people involved and the quality of the writing. If I feel a connection to the role I’m willing to play almost anything. Something either clicks or it doesn’t. But I have a romantic side – I’m drawn to those stories. I’m so glad to be part of it. It’s so interesting to play this kind of character, which I’ve never really done before.”
–On why she signed on (Look UK)
“They don’t always have to be kick-ass women, just interesting characters. As long as there’s something to sink your teeth into… you never want to be bored in a role or else you’ll be bad.”
–On her character (The Sunday Times Magazine)
“I felt connected to Ani on a gut level. I understood her as soon as I read her. Working with Colin [Farrell] was a delight. He would come to my trailer for a chat and a cup of tea every day. We got really into chocolate coconut chips.”
–On her character (Stylist UK)
“I did a ride-along with the police and I learned that everybody is lying to everybody else. I get it now when police officers are cynical, because the criminals are always trying to pull one over on them.”
–On doing research (Stylist UK)
Quotes from Cast & Crew
“She’s an edgy, dangerous person [Ani] and I was interested in an actress who was not naturally edgy, or at least not perceived that way. Rachel projects a lot of light and warmth, and by layering over that central core with the defenses and aggressions this person would’ve learned in order to survive, she provides a more nuanced and dimensional character.”
–Nic Pizzolatto (Marie Claire)
“[Rachel has the] ability to convey fierce intelligence and emotional complexity with reserves of strength, in total silence.”
–Nic Pizzolatto (Marie Claire)
Critical Reception
“HBO’s hit show struggles the second time around — but Rachel McAdams shines. So here’s the surprise twist: Rachel McAdams makes a hell of a cop. She’s easily the best thing about the second season of True Detective. Her transition from mean girl to bad cop is amazing: She’s a tightly wound, sarcastic loner with a thing for knives and no particular desire to hide her rage.It’s one thing for the doe-eyed starlet from The Notebook to cut it as a hard-boiled Southern California cop. It’s quite another for her to be the most credible and convincing thing about the show — but here we are. The new-model True Detective would be lost without her. It’s an old-school anthology series, where every season is a different story with a different cast — no more Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson on the Louisiana bayou. Instead, it’s an L.A. County criminal-conspiracy story full of philosophical speeches — basically The Chinatown Monologues. So it all comes down to McAdams, the only cookie here you’d be scared to tangle with. It was a surprise to see McAdams on True Detective. But it’s even more of a surprise that she turns out to be the truest detective here.”
–Rob Sheffield (Rolling Stone)
“But the revelation is Rachel McAdams, as Ani Bezzerides […] Her voice quakes with rage and anguish and fear and disgust and despair. In her ragged hatred of the world as it is, she is sexy as hell. The show is an atmosphere that is equal parts apocalyptic dread, intellectual despair, and beautiful cynicism. That’s better than a walk through a beautiful June day any time.”
–Stephen Marche (Esquire)
“True Detective Season 2 Elevates McAdams as the New McConaughey, But Gets Lost in the Darkness […] McAdams, in particular, stands out, and you get the feeling early on the second season as a whole will hinge upon her development. After three episodes, there’s no question she can handle whatever’s thrown her way. The popular rom-com star settles into Ani’s skin with surprising ease, instantly owning the role and overcoming some difficult introductory scenes packed with what’s nearly too much information. Instead of overplaying these difficult moments, McAdams cuts to the core of her character, refusing to play into stereotypes on either side of past ‘lady cop’ examples. Not too hard, not too weak, Ani is the truest detective of the bunch.”
–Ben Travers (Indiewire)
Awards & Nominations
☆ 2016 Critics Choice Television Awards for Best Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series
Promotional Tour
| June 5th | 2015 Los Angeles Press Conference | Images Videos |
| July 21st | 2015 Popcorn with Peter Travers | Images Videos |
| July 23rd | 2015 The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | Images Videos |
