We learned earlier today that Vince Vaughn is in talks to star in True Detective season 2. A new report from The Wrap surfaced tonight and suggests creator Nic Pizzolatto is close to firming up the rest of the cast. Vaughn is in talks to play the central antagonist. Colin Farrell is reportedly nearing a deal for the older male lead, while Taylor Kitsch is the frontrunner for the younger male lead. Elizabeth Moss is under consideration for the female lead and Michelle Forbes is in contention for a key role.

The report also expanded on the previously reported True Detective season 2 plot details, provided character descriptions for the above roles, and mentioned a candidate to direct some episodes. Hit the jump for more.

The Wrap offered this season 2 synopsis:

“The second season of True Detective will follow the death of Ben Caspar, the corrupt City Manager of a fictional California city who’s found brutally murdered amidst a potentially groundbreaking transportation deal that would forever change the freeway gridlock in California. Three law enforcement officers from different cities and branches of the government are tasked with finding out who did it. They soon discover their investigation has much broader and darker implications than they initially thought. Caspar’s 52-year-old corpse is found on a lonely stretch of the PCH near Big Sur—his eye burned out, genitals cut off and satanic symbols etched on his chest. It turns out he had a penchant for rough sex and may have been involved in the Occult.”

Although the casting isn’t official yet, here is the The Wrap’s rundown on the characters these five actors would play:

Vince Vaughn – “Frank Semyon, a former thug turned businessman who’s working with a local Mayor and his political cohorts to spearhead the construction of a high-speed railway system that links southern California to northern California in order to reap financial gains from federal grants and land purchases.”

– “Frank Semyon, a former thug turned businessman who’s working with a local Mayor and his political cohorts to spearhead the construction of a high-speed railway system that links southern California to northern California in order to reap financial gains from federal grants and land purchases.” Elizabeth Moss – “Ani Bezzerides, a tough, no-nonsense Monterrey sheriff whose troubled upbringing has driven her to gambling and alcohol. She reports to Sheriff James O’Neil and Deputy Sheriff Marla Simenon, and her partner, Elvis Ilinca, may have a crush on her. Ani also has both a hippie-type father who was absent when she was growing up, as well as a younger sister who isn’t afraid to show off her body. She’s also looking into the disappearance of former classmate’s sister.”

– “Ani Bezzerides, a tough, no-nonsense Monterrey sheriff whose troubled upbringing has driven her to gambling and alcohol. She reports to Sheriff James O’Neil and Deputy Sheriff Marla Simenon, and her partner, Elvis Ilinca, may have a crush on her. Ani also has both a hippie-type father who was absent when she was growing up, as well as a younger sister who isn’t afraid to show off her body. She’s also looking into the disappearance of former classmate’s sister.” Colin Farrell – “Ray Velcoro, who has been damaged by years of turmoil in both his personal and professional lives. A barely functioning coke-head with anger issues, he’s on Frank’s payroll and is battling his ex-wife for custody of their only son, Chad.”

– “Ray Velcoro, who has been damaged by years of turmoil in both his personal and professional lives. A barely functioning coke-head with anger issues, he’s on Frank’s payroll and is battling his ex-wife for custody of their only son, Chad.” Taylor Kitsch – “Paul Woodrugh, a handsome, 28-year-old military veteran who has seen his own share of violence and destruction. He’s a motorcycle California Highway Patrol officer who’s put on leave after soliciting oral ex from a beautiful girl he pulls over for drunk driving. He reports to Commander Floyd Heschmeyer and has a Latino girlfriend he breaks up with when he’s assigned to the Caspar investigation.”

– “Paul Woodrugh, a handsome, 28-year-old military veteran who has seen his own share of violence and destruction. He’s a motorcycle California Highway Patrol officer who’s put on leave after soliciting oral ex from a beautiful girl he pulls over for drunk driving. He reports to Commander Floyd Heschmeyer and has a Latino girlfriend he breaks up with when he’s assigned to the Caspar investigation.” Michelle Forbes – “It’s possible she could play either Farrell’s ex-wife (a survivor of sexual assault) or Vaughn’s charming but mercurial wife.”

Amid the season 1 acclaim, True Detective was criticized for weak female characters. Moss is the perfect antidote, demonstrating in Mad Men and Top of the Lake her chops as a strong female lead in a boy’s club setting. Forbes, too, would be a wonderful addition. If this ends up being the cast, the men may have more star power, but the women are more talented.

The Wrap also mentions a rumor that HBO approached Andrew Dominik to direct some of True Detective season 2, but Dominik may be too busy preparing his Marilyn Monroe movie Blonde to join the fun. In case Dominik does sign on, get to know the director through Evan’s in-depth look at his filmography.

For me, True Detective is much more about execution than plotting, but I invite you to dissect the new plot details to your heart’s content in the comments.