True Detective (2014)
The truth lies in the dark.
An American anthology police detective series utilizing multiple timelines in which investigations seem to unearth personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within or outside the law.
| Type | TV series |
|---|---|
| First aired | 12 January 2014 |
| Status | Returning Series |
| Genre | Drama, Mystery |
| Created by | Nic Pizzolatto and Issa López |
| Starring | Jodie Foster, Kali Reis and Fiona Shaw |
| Seasons | 4 seasons, 30 episodes |
| Episode length | about 56 min |
| Time to watch it all | about 28 hours |
| Rated | TV-MA |
| Scores | TMDB users 8.3/10 |
Where to watch True Detective
True Detective is streaming on Max ($18.49 a month) in the US. At ten hours a week, all of the series takes about 1 month of Max, or $18.49 at list price.
We check availability daily. Page last updated 12 October 2026. Prices are standard monthly plans and change often, so check with the service before you sign up.
What kind of watch this is
True Detective is a 2014 anthology series where police work bleeds into personal ruin. It runs 28 hours across 4 seasons and 30 episodes. The hook is that the investigation is just an excuse to watch two people slowly dismantle each other. Pizzolatto and López built it on the idea that the truth is always uglier than the lie. The pacing is deliberate, which can feel like a test of your patience. If you like your mysteries to leave scars, this is the one.
How it did with audiences
TMDB users rate the series 8.3 out of 10. Viewership tells a starker story. The first season averaged 11.9 million gross viewers, making it HBO’s most-watched show in its first year. It beat Six Feet Under’s 2001 record of 11.4 million. Live and same-day numbers climbed, with the finale hitting 3.5 million, a 50% jump over the premiere. Season 2 averaged 11.3 million gross viewers, slightly lower.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched True Detective.
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Sources
- True Detective on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q7847400 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “True Detective” on Wikipedia, by its contributors (history) — reception, audience figures and legacy, summarised and adapted here under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Where to watch and prices: Binge Boss, from TMDB watch-provider data (powered by JustWatch) and our own provider list
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