‘True Detective’ Season 2 Adds James Frain and Lolita Davidovich, Weirdness Ensues

HBO has yet to formalize all of its ‘True Detective’ season 2 leads, having only officially confirmed Colin Farrell and Vince Vaughn so far. But as with the last round of support casting we’d heard, the rabbit hole goes only deeper. Lolita Davidovich and ‘True Blood’ alum James Frain are the latest to join HBO’s hotly-anticipated follow-up, though their ‘True Detective’ season 2 roles don’t exactly clear up our questions.

Per Deadline, ‘Cinema Verite’ star Davidovich will take the role of Taylor Kitsch’s State Trooper character’s mother Nancy Simpson, described in true ‘True Detective’ fashion as “a girly girl, a former showgirl continually sucking on cigarettes and margaritas as she mourns the loss of male sexual attention. What little of her hopes remain she has transferred onto her adult son, who, in her eyes, is God’s gift to women.”

As if that weren’t a colorful enough description of ‘True Detective’’s latest dazzlingly empowered female role, the report also affords ample illumination of Frain’s role as Jeff Hunt, a ruthless police lieutenant. You’re warned of major spoilers for this next bit, but I bet he’d get really mad if someone forgot to refill the coffee pot. Like, ruthless mad.

So far as we know, ‘True Detective’ season 2 will follow the death of a corrupt city manager in a fictional California city, amid a groundbreaking transportation deal that would drastically change the state. Three law enforcement officers from different cities and branches of the government are tasked with finding the culprit, only to discover the investigation has broader and darker implications than they initially thought.

Farrell will take the role of Ray Velcoro, a “compromised detective whose allegiances are torn between his masters in a corrupt police department and the mobster who owns him.” Vaughn, meanwhile, will play Frank Semyon, a career criminal in danger of losing his empire when his move into legitimate enterprise is upended by the murder of a business partner.”

Though still not yet confirmed, Rachel McAdams’ part Ani Bezzerides is described as a tough, small-town Monterey sheriff with gambling and alcohol issues. ‘The Killing’ and genre vet Michelle Forbes had also supposedly been in talks for a supporting character, while ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise helmer Justin Lin will direct the first two episodes, with other directors yet to be announced.

‘True Detective’ season 2 remains on track for a summer 2015 premiere, but in the meantime, what say you? Are the newest episodes shaping up to be any better than the Emmy-winning first run, by its latest additions?