We've been all abuzz about True Detective [1] this week, following the first pictures from the set [2] and HBO's confirmation of several cast members [3]. There are still a lot of casting rumors flying around out there, but there are some details we know for sure — mostly the ones disclosed by creator Nic Pizzolatto and HBO. Let's parse out what we know about season two so far, including who Farrell and Vaughn will play!

• We have a loose plot line. Though Pizzolatto suggested [4] months ago that a murder might not be at the center of this season, HBO has confirmed the series tagline: "Three police officers and a career criminal must navigate a web of conspiracy in the aftermath of a murder."
• Casting news is coming in now. So far, Vince Vaughn [5] (who we fully support [6]), Colin Farrell [7], and a few others have been confirmed [8] for season two. HBO has commented that additional casting will be announced as it is confirmed.
• Farrell will play a detective. According to HBO, Farrell will play Ray Velcoro, "a compromised detective whose allegiances are torn between his masters in a corrupt police department and the mobster who owns him."
• Vaughn will star as a criminal. Playing opposite Farrell's detective, Vaughn will portray Frank Semyon, "a career criminal in danger of losing his empire when his move into legitimate enterprise is upended by the murder of a business partner."
• Justin Lin will direct the first two episodes. Lin, best known for directing several Fast and Furious movies including 2013's Fast & Furious 6, is on board to direct the first two episodes.

• The US transportation system plays a big part. "I am still fleshing it out," Pizzolatto told Entertainment Weekly [9]. "The basic idea: hard women, bad men, and the secret occult history of the US transportation system. I was well on my way in the writing, but there's been a lot noise and work around the end of the first season that got in the way."
• The new season will be in California. The series is set to begin production in California later this Fall. "Not Los Angeles, but some of the lesser-known venues of California," Pizzolatto confirmed on the To the Best of Our Knowledge podcast [10]. "We're going to try to capture a certain psychosphere ambience of the place, much like we did with season one."
• This season will follow the same format as last season. Like the first season, the show will consist of eight one-hour episodes.