The hunt for a new pair of True Detectives is on after Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson confirmed they would not be back for season 2, with Brad Pitt being one of the names rumoured to be in the frame.

The role is one of the most coveted in Hollywood thanks to the success and scope of the HBO drama, which will start afresh with a new case and new police investigators for its second outing.

According to Hollywood Life: "Brad’s name has come up many times, it’s just a matter of what his other commitments are.

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"Brad has tight relations with HBO — he teamed up with Ryan Murphy last year to produce the HBO movie The Normal Heart. I know everyone would be thrilled to have him onboard."

The actor's casting is only in the very early stages then, if the rumours are to be believed, though the new detectives may not even be a pair or male.

Pitt is no stranger to gritty crime roles, having previously played a detective in Se7en, which told the story of a case about as grisly as they come.

True Detective, which is carried on Sky Atlantic in the UK, has yet to be given a season 2 air date.