HBO hopeful for a third season of 'True Detective': 'It's not dead'

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- HBO is still committed to to crime series True Detective and is hopeful for a third season despite the tepid response to Season 2.

"It's not dead," HBO head of programming Casey Bloys said during the Television Critics Association press tour Saturday according to Deadline.

"We are hoping for a third season. It's a very valuable franchise for us," he continued before mentioning how creator Nic Pizzolatto would most likely be supervising a potential Season 3 with someone else taking over scripting duties.

However, a third season still seems a ways off. "I'm not sure we have the right take for a third season yet," Bloys explained.

Recently, Season 1 star Matthew McConaughey expressed interest in returning as his character Rust Cohle. "I miss Rust Cohle, man. I miss watching him on Sunday nights," the actor said before hinting at how he reached out to Pizzolatto.

"It would have to be the right context, the right way," McConaughey continued. "That thing—when I read [the original script] I knew in 20 minutes if I can play this guy, Rustin Cohle, I'm in."

McConaughey starred alongside Woody Harrelson in the critically acclaimed first season before the release of Season 2 with a new cast put the future of the series in question. Season 2 starred Rachel McAdams, Vince Vaughn, and Colin Farrell and was met with a negative response from fans and critics.