Even before HBO's 'True Detective' captivated audiences and inspired a wave of think pieces on everything from literary references to its take on women, the moody FBI drama had feature director Cary Fukunaga behind the camera to deliver its iconic visual flair. Now, with season 2 all-but-assured, what role will Fukunaga have with future 'True Detective,' and how might creator Nic Pizzolatto shake things up with its new leading roles?

Via Deadline, we've learned the unfortunate (if understandable) news that Fukunaga's upcoming commitment to a contemporary wartime film will prevent him from directing episodes of 'True Detective' season 2, however unusual it was for the 'Sin Nombre' director to helm the entire eight-episode run in the first place. At the very least, Fukunaga will still executive produce season 2, which has yet to receive a formal order, even as Pizzolatto remains under an HBO contract development deal for another year.

Elsewhere, while we'd known that series stars Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson weren't likely to return for season 2, which would pick up with a new cast and a new story, new rumblings suggest that Pizzolatto will follow through in changing up the dynamic for the series with female leading roles. Pizzolatto has previously alluded that the generic title 'True Detective' could fit any number of potential premises, but a (now-deleted) Twitter exchange saw the writer responding to questions of a male-dominated viewpoint with "One of the detriments of only having two POV characters, both men (a structural necessity). Next season..."

The veracity of the exchange can't be confirmed just yet, but a female focus would certainly be a welcome change for season 2. We have our own ideas on who we'd like to see in 'True Detective' season 2, but what do you think? Would the series capture the same lightning in a bottle without Cary Fukunaga, McConaughey or Harrelson? Watch the latest preview below, and give us your thoughts in the comments!

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