Woody Harrelson & Matthew McConaughey Are True Detectives

Actors Woody Harrleson and Matthew McConaughey have alot in common. They both enjoy surfing. They're both blond (in Woody's case formerly). They're both from the great state of Texas. They both... well... are known to partake in a certain "herbal supplement" from time to time. And now Deadline.com reports that the two real-life friends have just finalized a deal with HBO to star in a new high-concept cop drama entitled True Detective.

The complex plot concerns detectives Rush Cohle and Martin Hart, who's lives intersect and are changed drastically over the course of a seventeen year manhunt for a vicious serial killer claiming victims throughout Louisiana. The story is told using two time frames, one set in 1995 as Cohle and Hart are investigating the killer's first murder, and the other set in the present day as the two detectives give testimony in relation to the recently re-opened case. The first season will be eight episodes, and is expected to wrap up the mystery by the season finale. If successful, the show would continue with new characters in a new setting the following year, much like the approach being taken by FX's American Horror Story.

At first glance, the casting of Harrelson and McConaughey might seem strange for a by all accounts serious cop drama/murder mystery. I mean, these two starred together in the comedies EDTV and Surfer, Dude. Those aren't exactly NYPD Blue. But, one need look no further than Matthew's performances in Frailty and A Time To Kill, or Woody's work in The Messenger and The People Vs. Larry Flynt to know that both are more than capable of giving award worthy acting jobs when called upon to.

Are you intrigued by the concept of True Detective? Do you think Woody & Matthew's casting will be a blessing or a curse to the format?