Matthew McConaughey not returning for True Detective in 2015

Matthew McConaughey helped make True Detective something special and in turn, the show helped peak McConaughey’s surge back to the top of his game. But while the series needed McConaughey and the actor needed the series, a long term relationship isn’t in the cards.

Many fans are holding out hope that he’ll return to the series for a second season, but the Oscar-winning actor has killed those dreams with a quote to Variety.

"When asked about his potential season two return to the hit HBO show at a backstage  Academy Awards interview session, McConaughey announced, “No, I won’t be back for season two. Season one was finite.”"

This was almost expected, as not only should we expect season-to-season turnover with the cast on True Detective, but there was little chance of the actor coming back anyways — simply because why would he? We’ve seen great performances and great shows ruined by going back to the well, and while typically a show would be continued in it’s second season, the format of True Detective scraps the story that was told a season prior for a new and completely original one.

McConaughey simply can’t follow up his season one performance with anything better and we don’t need or want to see him try. Instead, we will be left with an immortal and awesome performance that won’t be tainted with further incarnations later on down the road.