DRAMA SERIES "TRUE DETECTIVE," STARRING COLIN FARRELL, VINCE VAUGHN, RACHEL MCADAMS AND TAYLOR KITSCH, RETURNS FOR SECOND SEASON JUNE 21, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO

A bizarre murder brings together three law-enforcement officers and a career criminal, each of whom must navigate a web of conspiracy and betrayal in the scorched landscapes of California when TRUE DETECTIVE returns for its eight-episode second season SUNDAY, JUNE 21 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT), followed by other episodes debuting subsequent Sundays at the same time, exclusively on HBO.

Colin Farrell (Golden Globe winner for "In Bruges") plays Ray Velcoro, a troubled detective whose allegiances are torn between his masters in a corrupt police department and the mobster who owns him. Vince Vaughn ("Wedding Crashers") portrays Frank Semyon, a criminal and entrepreneur in danger of losing his empire when his move into legitimate enterprise is upended by the murder of a business partner. Rachel McAdams ("Midnight in Paris") plays Ani Bezzerides, a sheriff's detective whose uncompromising ethics put her at odds with others and the system she serves. Taylor Kitsch (HBO's "The Normal Heart") portrays Paul Woodrugh, a war veteran and a highway patrol motorcycle officer, running from a difficult past and the sudden glare of a scandal that never happened.

The cast also includes Kelly Reilly ("Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows") as Jordan Semyon, Frank's wife, a former D-list actress who is a full partner in his enterprises and ambitions; Christopher James Baker ("Gotham") as Blake Churchman; Afemo Omilami ("The Hunger Games: Catching Fire") as Police Chief Holloway; Chris Kerson ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation") as Nails; and James Frain (HBO's "True Blood") as Lt. Kevin Burris.

Among the guest stars this season are Lolita Davidovich ("Raising Cain"), W. Earl Brown (HBO's "Deadwood"), David Morse (HBO's "Treme") and Rick Springfield ("Hard to Hold").

June's episodes:

Episode #9 (season 2, episode 1): "The Western Book of the Dead"

Written by Nic Pizzolatto; directed by Justin Lin.

Debut: SUNDAY, JUNE 21 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)

Other HBO playdates: June 21 (11:30 p.m., 2:00 a.m.), 22 (10:30 p.m.), 23 (9:00 p.m., 2:30 a.m.), 24 (10:30 p.m.), 25 (12:30 a.m.), 26 (9:00 p.m.) and 27 (1:30 a.m.), and July 3 (9:00 p.m.) and 10 (7:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: June 22 (9:00 p.m.), 26 (2:35 a.m.), 27 (4:45 p.m.) and 28 (8:00 p.m.)

The disappearance of a city manager disrupts a lucrative land scheme and ignites an investigation involving three police officers and a career criminal who is moving into legitimate business.

Episode #10 (season 2, episode 2): "Night Finds You"

Written by Nic Pizzolatto; directed by Justin Lin.

Debut: SUNDAY, JUNE 28 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: June 28 (11:30 p.m., 2:00 a.m.), 29 (10:30 p.m.), 30 (9:00 p.m., 1:55 a.m.), and July 1 (10:00 p.m.), 2 (12:30 a.m.), 3 (10:00 p.m.), 4 (11:45 p.m.) and 10 (8:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: June 29 (9:00 p.m.) and July 3 (12:30 a.m.), 4 (10:30 a.m.) and 5 (8:00 p.m.)

Season one of TRUE DETECTIVE won five Emmy Awards(R) and was nominated for 12 Emmys(R) overall, while writer-creator Nic Pizzolatto received awards from the Writers Guild of America in the categories of Drama Series and New Series, among other honors.

TRUE DETECTIVE was created and written by Nic Pizzolatto; executive producers, Nic Pizzolatto, Steve Golin and Scott Stephens; producer, Aida Rodgers.