Unconfirmed reports have been hovering over casting for HBO's second season of True Detective for months. With three leads, two male and one female, there has been a lot of talk, especially following the strong performances given by Mathew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club) and Woody Harrelson (The Hunger Games) at the start of the series. McConaughey and Harrelson played a pair of detectives hunting down a murderer in rural Louisiana. The show quickly became a hit, sparking conversation across the web.

True Detective Season 2 Spoilers

So far reports of Jessica Chastain (The Help, Texas Killing Fields) joining the cast have been shot down. Christian Bale (The Dark Knight) and Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men) are names that have been tossed around by speculating viewers.

In an interview with Variety, Season 1's Michelle Monaghan (Gone Baby Gone) said that she would like to see Joquain Phoenix (Gladiator) on the show this January.

True Detective Season 2 Casting Rumors

Monaghan, who served as the primary female lead in Season 1, considered the writing of series creator Nick Pizzolatto in voicing her opinion.

When at first asked who should be cast, the actress joked that she would love to return before offering her answer. "I'm just thinking of Nic's writing... and you know Joaquin Phoenix is such an amazing, amazing actor and it seems like that would be an interesting fit...stylistically."

Pizzolatto has made no official announcements regarding casting, which is set to conclude by the end of the summer.

True Detective will resume on HBO in January 2015.

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