Colin Farrell says he will star in ‘True Detective’ Season 2

Colin Farrell will star in the second season of HBO’s “True Detective” -- according to Colin Farrell.

The roguish Irish actor is apparently not one for keeping secrets. He leaked the news this weekend to Dublin’s Sunday World newspaper, saying “I’m doing the second series. I’m so excited,” but as of Monday afternoon HBO has yet to officially confirm or otherwise comment on Farrell’s unsanctioned announcement.

Farrell was reportedly deep in negotiations to star in the series as of July, when his name surfaced along with that of “Friday Night Lights” star Taylor Kitsch. Farrell most recently starred in the romance “Winter’s Tale” and the biopic “Saving Mr. Banks,” and will be seen opposite Jessica Chastain in Liv Ullmann’s adaptation of the August Strindberg play “Miss Julie,” which had its premiere this month at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The first season of “True Detective” premiered in January with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson playing the lead roles as a pair of mismatched Louisiana cops on the hunt for a serial killer. In an unusual arrangement for series television, all eight episodes were written by creator Nic Pizzolatto and directed by Cary Fukunaga. “True Detective” was a hit with viewers and critics alike, racking up an impressive 12 Emmy nominations this year, including one each for its male leads, ultimately winning five.

The widespread acclaim, as well as the program’s anthology format, which allows actors to commit to a single, abbreviated season, has attracted a flurry of interest from big-name Hollywood talent in Season 2. Also rumored to be in the mix are Jessica Biel, Elisabeth Moss, Vince Vaughn and Rosario Dawson.

Though Pizzolatto has hinted that Season 2 will delve into “the secret occult history of the United States transportation system” (whatever that means), HBO has not announced a return date for the series.

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