Now that the season finale of True Detective has aired and continues to be the foremost thing in our minds, it’s not surprising that we’re also getting a lot of discussion around the obvious question: what’s next? The show is rare in that each season will supposedly tell a self-contained story with a clear beginning and an end, so as far as we know, this is the last we will see of Rust Cohle and Marty Hart. Or is it? Series creator Nic Pizzolatto previously hinted that it might be nice to use some of the same actors again, but Matthew McConaughey has pretty much confirmed that he will not be returning for another season. Now Pizzolatto has revealed a little bit more about season 2, and although Cohle and Hart are not involved, he does offer fans an olive branch of sorts. Here’s what he had to say:

“Q: What’s the update on season two?

A: I am still fleshing it out. The basic idea: Hard women, bad men, and the secret occult history of the U.S. 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.

Q: Is it true that you’ve retained the literary rights to Cohle and Hart?

A: I do. So maybe you will see Cohle and Hart novels down the road after Hollywood kicks me out. Always a possibility.”

Pizzolatto has also stated that the next season will probably change locations but that he wants to present “new characters in a new place with authenticity and resonance and an authorial voice consistent with this season.” He has said in other interviews that he has been reading about the last 40 years of government in Southern California, which may or may not be connected. Also, it sounds like the next season probably won’t stick to one director.

It’s interesting to note that True Detective has received some flack for its portrayal of women, and Pizzolatto responded to these accusations on Twitter, hinting that the next season might feature a female lead. His comment about “hard women” might coincide with that. Either way, I think we can all agree that Cohle and Hart will be a hard act to follow. What would you like to see in the second season of True Detective?