True Detective Dream Cast: Top 5 Picks That Didn’t Make It

Earlier this summer we started working on our dream cast list for season two. Then the official choices started rolling it and it turned out that we were wrong about every single one. Not one of our choices has so far turned up for a role in True Detective’s second season, and at this point it’s unlikely they will.

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5. Stellan Skarsgård

Skarsgård felt like such an easy pick for True Detective. The Swedish actor has proven his mettle time and time again and has excellently played dark, brooding characters. His films include David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Lars Von Trier’s Nymphomaniac, and Erik Skjoldbjærg’s Insomnia — arguably the best of the bunch.

But as has now been proven for the second time, True Detective, more often than not, chooses to not cast the obvious choices. And as well all know, there has been some merit to that tactic. Skarsgård will, at least for now, have to remain a dream of ours.

But, come on, it would so perfect.

4. Michael Pitt

Michael Pitt was back when we were still choosing obvious choices. But there’s nothing wrong with the obvious, because Pitt would have done a damn fine job with True Detective. It also would have kept him in the HBO family considering his past work with Boardwalk Empire.

Unfortunately, or, perhaps, fortunately if you’re a fan of Hannibal (we are,) Pitt has something of a commitment to that series. Even though it’s unknown whether or not Pitt’s Character, the sinister and insane Mason Verger will appear in season three of Hannibal, we know for sure that he won’t be making any appearances in True Detective for the foreseeable future.

3. Rooney Mara

This one still stings. Rooney Mara seems like such a perfect fit for True Detective that it almost feels criminal for her to not have a part in season two. Mara’s starring role in David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was enough to earn her a position in this list, but her work in Steven Soderbergh’s Side Effects is also not to be missed.

It’s impossible to say whether or not Mara was even seriously considered for True Detective, but she would have been a great fit. So great, in fact, that we’ll be sure to put her on list next go-around when we’re gearing up for True Detective’s third season. For now, her appearance in True Detective will have to be relegated to fan fiction.

Someone get on that.

2. Noomi Rapace

Noomi Rapace goes hand-in-hand with Rooney Mara. Both actors put in phenomenal performances as Lisbeth Salander, and so they are forever linked. Each actor has made Salander her own, something which is no mean feat. Naomi Rapace also has Prometheus going for her, regardless of what the general public tends to think of that film.

Rapace would have a fine fit for the female lead of season two, and between Prometheus and her appearance in Sherlock Holmes, she has enough name power in North America to be recognizable and draw viewers. Alas, it looks like we’ll never get to see what a Rapace version of True Detective would be like. There’s always next time.1. Gillian Anderson

Gillian Anderson was one of our first picks for a female-led True Detective. Anderson has such powerful screen presence that she almost needs no reason to even be on this list. As FBI agent Dana Scully in The X-Files, Anderson helped pave the way for strong, leading women in television drama.

Like Michael Pitt, however, she’s already involved with Hannibal. She has been confirmed to be returning for Hannibal’s third season, and also a second season of The Fall. Anderson definitely has a lot on her plate, and True Detective just isn’t in the cards.

Were you hoping that any of our choices would have ended up in True Detective? Do you hope they could in the future? Are we totally wrong? Let us know!