Paul Woodrugh (Taylor Kitsch): Possibly our third detective, a young, handsome veteran who is, no doubt, also quite damaged. If this is Kitsch doing his Heathcliff of Texas Friday Night Lights thing filtered through Lone Survivor, we’re in for a treat.

Frank Semyon (Vince Vaughn): The central antagonist. Not a murderer, per se, but a shady businessman and former thug who is trying to use his influence with local politicians to put a railway in place between Northern and Southern California and reap the financial benefits. The California setting and the idea of a businessman using public works for corrupt financial gain calls to mind John Huston’s great villainous character in Chinatown. The idea of Vaughn using his patented charm offensive for nefarious purposes is downright delicious.

Though it’s hard to imagine Season 2 of True Detective topping Season 1 (which had the advantage of premiering without such heavy expectations) this rundown is very alluring. It also seems clear that Pizzolatto took some of the gender-specific criticism levied at the first season to heart. Not just because he’s eyeballing Moss for a lead role, but because the victim this time around won’t be a luridly naked female. It might be a luridly naked male: Ben Caspar, the corrupt city manager who was embroiled in Semyon’s transportation deal, is found dead with Satanic symbols etched on his chest. Yes, get ready for the next season to kick off with an image as disturbing as the one that launched the series, and for the next “Who Is the Yellow King?” mystery to dominate your life sometime next year.