I tuned out of “True Detective: Night Country” after four episodes. Creator Issa López’s mix of supernatural and crime elements didn’t do much for me, and frankly, the last two seasons haven’t come close to matching the brilliance of Nic Pizzolatto’s original.
But if there’s one actor who could get me back in front of the screen for the fifth season, it’s Nicolas Cage.
According to TheInSneider, Cage is in talks to headline López’s next installment, set in Jamaica Bay, Long Island, with cameras expected to roll in the near future. Cage is in talks for the lead role of Henry Logan, a New York detective on the case at the center of the new season.
This would mark only the second TV role of Cage’s career. He’ll first star in MGM+’s “Spider-Noir”, playing a 1930s version of Spider-Man, and he’ll reprise the role in “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” (2027).
Cage would also join a long list of marquee names who have led “True Detective.” Previous seasons featured Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, Mahershala Ali, and Jodie Foster.
A few years ago, Nic Pizzolatto, the man behind that great first season with McConaughey and Harrelson, was pushed aside after underwhelming follow-ups. Despite my mixed response, season four proved López could keep the brand alive, with great reviews, strong ratings, and now she gets a true wildcard in Cage.
The Oscar winner for “Leaving Las Vegas”, who earned a second nomination for “Adaptation”, is currently filming David O. Russell’s “Madden” opposite Christian Bale, then, from what I’m told, heading to Budapest for the October shoot of the long-awaited “Lord of War” sequel. He won’t begin shooting “True Detective” until early 2026.
If this deal closes, Nicolas Cage as the next detective in HBO’s flagship crime saga feels like one of those rare casting choices that’s simply too irresistible to pass up.