When HBO eventually gets around to officially announcing that True Detective has been renewed for Season 2, it may be quite surprising to many fans, if only because there has already been plenty of talk about it thus far. Series creator Nic Pizzolatto is already writing the new episodes, which have been confirmed to be set in "lesser known areas" of California. The season will feature a whole new cast of characters, but beyond that, there is little else we do know about the season. With the anthology format that brings in a new cast and story line each season, much like FX's American Horror Story, the show could seemingly go on forever, right? It appears that might not actually be the case.

During an appearance at the Banff World Media Festival, Nic Pizzolatto revealed that he can't see the show running for more than three seasons, since he is writing every episode of the show and creating a whole new story line each season.

"Every season, I'm essentially creating a brand new TV show. It can't have any growing pains like a regular first season. If it works it has to work right out of the box. That's incredibly exhausting. I mean, the job is exhausting to begin with, but it's doubly exhausting and I'm writing every episode. I can't imagine I would do this more than three years. I mean, I'd like to have a regular TV show. We'll have some fixed sets, regular actors and I could bring in people to help and I don' t have to be there every second. It'd be great."

Of course, it's possible that the show could continue on past Season 3, although that may mean that Nic Pizzolatto would not write every episode or "be there every second." He also went on to shoot down the casting rumors that have surfaced lately, indicating that stars such as Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain may be up for roles. The executive producer revealed that he has only met with one actor thus far, but he does have a secret list of actors he wants for Season 2.

"I've talked to one person about it, possibly, and that has been it. We haven't cast anybody. I have a secret list and that's it."

He also shot down rumors that Season 2 would be a female-centric cast, although he did say that one of the leads is a female.

"Again, it's a rumor with no basis in fact. There is a strong (lead) female character. But I wouldn't say it is female-led or anything like that."

Contrary to a report from last month, Nic Pizzolatto revealed that there are actually four lead roles in Season 2, not three. He also revealed that the first two episodes of Season 2 are written, and that he has some vague ideas about Season 3. When asked whether or not he followed all of the social media buzz and fan theories during Season 1, the executive producer had this to say.

"I stayed away from most of it. I sort of put up a wall between myself and any kind of interaction with that sort of speculative theorizing. On one hand, it's great to see the show engage people and it was meant to engage a viewer on multiple, multiple levels. On the other hand, I think there is subsets of internet people who had their own agendas with regards to speculation on the show. A lot of times people were trying to get clicks on their website. And there is a difference between engaging in a show and hijacking it."

We'll keep you posted when any official details for Season 2 of True Detective are revealed.