True Detective season 3: Mahershala Ali to star, scripts looking 'terrific'

True Detective season three may not yet be confirmed, however, it's looking increasingly likely considering producers have lined up Mahershala Ali to star should HBO proceed.

During the Television Critics Association's (TCA) press tour in California on Wednesday (26 July), Casey Bloys - HBO president of programming - confirmed the network has signed up the Oscar-winning Moonlight actor to appear in episodes of the crime anthology series.

Bloys also confirmed that five scripts - the ones reportedly co-written by Deadwood creator David Milch - are in existence.

He said: “I have read five scripts for a third season. I’m very very impressed and excited about what I’ve read. I don’t want to give away the storyline, but I really think they’re terrific.”

Before a continuation of Nic Pizzolatto's crime anthology is confirmed, HBO is keen to secure a director. Cary Joji Fukunaga directed all eight episodes of the Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson-starring first season while several others undertook episodes of season two including Fast & Furious filmmaker Justin Lin.

While True Detective's first season is considered to be a modern classic, its second run didn't fare so well; starring Colin Farrell, Vince Vaughn, Rachel McAdams and Taylor Kitsch, the California-set season was widely perceived to be inferior to its predecessor.