Could True Detective’s Schedule by why Cary Fukunaga Isn’t Returning?

By Reuben Levine | Apr 27, 2015

We’ve known for a long time that True Detective’s first season director Cary Fukunaga wouldn’t be returning. In fact, it was one of the very first details we learned about the new season. Fukunaga is on-baord as an Executive Producer, which for all intents and purposes is simply a title. It’s very unlikely that Fukunaga has had anything at all to do with True Detective as of late.

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Cary Fukunaga left such a mark that fans have been trying to figure out just what happened. Mostly, Fukunaga has been very coy about his reasons for leaving the show, but that changed somewhat the other day at New York’s Tribeca Film Festival.

In said interview, Cary Fukunaga talked about True Detective’s pretty grueling schedule. It’s very possible that such a stressful work environment is part of the reason that he decided to leave. That, combined with a desire to get back to his work sounds like a fairly compelling reason for departure.

Of course, it could have also had something to do with tensions between creator Nic Pizzolatto. Both parties have denied that, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it isnt’ still true. The only thing we know for sure is that Cary Fukunaga won’t be around and that she show will move on without him, as it should.

True Detective will be switching to multiple director for its second season which may have something to do with the experience with Fukunaga, or may have stemmed from his departure. Either way, it’s difficult to look at the current situation and not wonder if Fukunaga had anything to do with it, directly or otherwise.

True Detective’s second, Cary Fukunaga-less, season will premiere June 21st. From the looks of the teaser trailer not much has been lost in the directorial transition, but we’ll have to wait and see to get the full picture.

Next: This Week in True Detective: 4/20/15

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