The latest update by HBO president of programming Casey Bloys update on the "True Detective" season 3 renewal provides a tiny beacon of light for fans of the show.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Bloys said that he does not have "anything to report" about the crime anthology "other than they're thinking about what the best-next version is."
"They're thinking about ideas, and when they find something, that's when I'll hear from them," the HBO executive said, presumably referring to the people in charge of "True Detective" season 3.
Except for creator Nic Pizzolatto supervising a new writer to be hired by HBO to work on the new season, no other names are known to be attached to "True Detective" season 3 yet.
Based on what Bloys said, a plot for the new season is not in place yet although brainstorming might already be in progress. This suggests that HBO is actively working on bringing the show together.
However, they are yet to surpass the first hurdle in making "True Detective" season 3 happen, which is how they will go about bringing it back.
Fans will remember that back in the summer during the Television Critics Association (TCA), Bloys said that he is "not sure we have the right take for a third season yet."
Comparing this statement to his latest one, it would seem that HBO has not made groundbreaking progress on the development of "True Detective" season 3.
It looks like devising the best concept for the show's comeback is proving more challenging. The flak received by the second season is not making it easy and in fact, adds pressure for HBO to find the right approach for the show to redeem itself.
That being said, "True Detective" season 3, although it is likely going to happen, will not see the light of day anytime soon.
