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True Detective season 2

The second season of *True Detective* is an American anthology crime drama television season created by Nic Pizzolatto.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The second season of *True Detective* is an American anthology crime drama television season created by Nic Pizzolatto. It premiered on HBO on June 21, 2015, ran for eight episodes, and starred Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, Taylor Kitsch, Kelly Reilly, and Vince Vaughn.

Premise

Season 2 follows several law-enforcement figures and a criminal figure as they become entangled in a murder investigation and a wider web of corruption in California.

Cast and characters

The main cast features Colin Farrell as Ray Velcoro, Rachel McAdams as Ani Bezzerides, Taylor Kitsch as Paul Woodrugh, Kelly Reilly, and Vince Vaughn as Frank Semyon.

Production and release

The season was created and written by Nic Pizzolatto and aired on HBO in 2015. It consists of eight episodes.

Setting and themes

Compared with the first season, the second season uses a Southern California setting and focuses on crime, institutional corruption, and personal dysfunction.

Key facts

  • It is the second season of *True Detective*, an anthology series with a new story and cast each season.
  • The season began airing on HBO on June 21, 2015, and ended on August 9, 2015.
  • Its setting shifts from Louisiana to a fictionalised California backdrop, including the city of Vinci.
  • The plot centres on a corruption and murder investigation involving police officers and a career criminal.
  • The season’s principal cast includes Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, Taylor Kitsch, Kelly Reilly, and Vince Vaughn.

Frequently asked questions

What is True Detective season 2 about?
It follows multiple characters pulled into an investigation after a murder exposes corruption tied to government, business, and crime in California.
When did True Detective season 2 air?
It premiered on June 21, 2015, and concluded on August 9, 2015.
How many episodes are in season 2?
The season has eight episodes.
Who stars in True Detective season 2?
The principal cast includes Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, Taylor Kitsch, Kelly Reilly, and Vince Vaughn.
Who created True Detective season 2?
Nic Pizzolatto created and wrote the season.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_Detective_season_2
    Supports: Premiere date, episode count, principal cast, and general season overview.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/true_detective/s02
    Supports: Creator, network, genre, release date, and season metadata.
  3. TV Guide — https://www.tvguide.com/news/true-detective-season-2-collin-farrell-vince-vaughn-rachel-mcadams/
    Supports: Main cast, character names, and directorial information.
  4. Time — https://time.com/3928767/true-detective-season-2-whats-different/
    Supports: Anthology format, new setting, and season-to-season changes.
  5. Polygon — https://www.polygon.com/2015/7/7/8901145/true-detective-season-2-explain-details-characters-plot-help-episode-2-3-recap-overview-walkthrough/
    Supports: Setting in Vinci, California, and basic plot context.