'True Detective' season 3 renewal update: Cary Fukunaga not returning

Should it be made official by HBO, "True Detective" season 3 will never be the same with Cary Fukunaga confirming that he is not returning to the show.

Fukunaga was the director for the acclaimed first season headlined by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson then he took on the role of executive producer in the second season with Colin Farrell and Rachel McAdams.

Speaking to Times of India at the 18th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, Fukunaga said that he will not be back for "True Detective" season 3.

"I had only signed on to do the first season because I wanted to do a long format, wanted to experiment in that genre. But I don't see myself going back to 'True Detective' anytime soon," he said.

He did suggest that he may still be back. "I feel like I have done the noir. There is no noir currently in my slate so if I ever get that itch again, maybe. But not for now," he added.

Fukunaga has a lot going on at the moment. He is producing "The Alienist" miniseries, the dark comedy television series "Maniac," and two upcoming films— thriller "Black Lung" and "Thumper."

"True Detective" season 3 is still being planned by HBO although creator Nic Pizzolatto will not be able to write this time due to other commitments with the network.

HBO is instead looking for a new writer with Pizzolatto set to supervise only. HBO president for programming Casey Bloys said that they have not found the best approach for "True Detective" season 3 yet.

He said that the franchise remains a big deal for them and it is not all dead as opposed to the previous rumors following the poor reception for the second season.

With that said, a premiere date for "True Detective" season 3 is yet to be designated and it will be a while before HBO does so.