True Detective: Night CountryHBO

True Detective is coming back for a fifth season at HBO.

Issa López, who served as showrunner for True Detective: Night Country, the fourth and most successful iteration of the crime franchise, will oversee the next installment as part of an overall deal she signed with the network.

It’s yet to be decided as to whether season five of True Detective will be related to Night Country or will be an entirely new story.

However, what’s clear is that, despite creator Nic Pizzolato’s criticisms, López’s season has brought a return to form for the True Detective universe, becoming the most-watched season with 12.7 million cross platform viewers.

As part of López’s new multiyear deal, she will also create new content for HBO and Max.

True Detective: Night Country starred Jodie Foster and Kali Reis, detectives who have to confront the darkness they carry in themselves, and dig into the haunted truths that lie buried under the eternal ice in order to solve the disappearance of the eight men who operate the Tsalal Arctic Research Station in Ennis, Alaska.

Finn Bennett, Fiona Shaw, Christopher Eccleston, Isabella Star LaBlanc, and John Hawkes also star with Anna Lambe, Aka Niviâna, and Joel D. Montgrand as guest stars.

 López served as showrunner, writer and director and she exec produced alongside Mari Jo Winkler, Barry Jenkins, Adele Romanski, Mark Ceryak, Chris Mundy, Alan Page Arriaga, Steve Golin, Richard Brown, Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson Cary Joji Fukunaga and Pizzolatto. Princess Daazhraii Johnson, Cathy Tagnak Rexford and Sam Breckman were producers.

López said, “From conception to release, Night Country has been the most beautiful collaboration and adventure of my entire creative life. HBO trusted my vision all the way, and the idea of bringing to life a new incarnation of True Detective with Casey, Francesca and the whole team is a dream come true. I can’t wait to go again.”

Francesca Orsi, EVP, HBO Programming, Head of HBO Drama Series and Films, added, “Issa Lopez is that one-of-a-kind, rare talent that speaks directly to HBO’s creative spirit. She helmed True Detective: Night Country from start to finish, never once faltering from her own commendable vision, and inspiring us with her resilience both on the page and behind the camera. Alongside Jodie and Kali’s impeccable performances, she’s made this installation of the franchise a massive success, we are so lucky to have her as part of our family.”