I find the constraints of drama actually freeing: It brings everything down to character and action.

I don't think you can create effectively toward expectation. I'm not in the service business.

You just do the best you can, and when you're able to connect with people, and when you do, it's just incredibly gratifying.

Often, what allows someone to behave heroically in dire circumstances is unpalatable in day-to-day life.

In the summer of 2010, I had decided to get into film and TV writing, so I wrote scripts for six different ideas I had developed, and the pilot for True Detective was one of them.

The Atlantic really gave me my writing career - even just the conviction to be a writer.

I made True Detective like it was going to be the only thing I ever made for television. So put in everything and the kitchen sink. Everything.