Woody Harrelson Admits He Was “So Pissed” at Matthew McConaughey on ‘True Detective’ Set – Here’s Why

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Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson have a famously close and fun friendship, but even the best of friends sometimes disagree or face challenges.

Woody Harrelson and Ted Danson recently discussed the making of HBO’s True Detective on their podcast, Where Everybody Knows Your Name. They revealed that the show’s famous tension wasn’t just acting – there was real friction between them during filming of the first season.

Woody Harrelson revealed that Matthew McConaughey’s commitment to his role nearly caused a physical altercation between them. During the filming of the 2014 crime drama, McConaughey fully immersed himself in the character of the troubled detective Rust Cohle, and Harrelson said he stayed in character even off-camera. This intense behavior changed their normally relaxed working relationship.

Harrelson explained to Danson that McConaughey fully immersed himself in his role. “He was Rust Cohle,” Harrelson said. “There were times I really wanted to hit him because he stayed so committed to the character, and it was frustrating!”

Woody Harrelson, who played the more realistic, though imperfect, detective Marty Hart, was surprised by the change in his friend’s behavior. He was accustomed to their usual playful back-and-forth, which mirrored their real-life friendship. However, Matthew McConaughey believed that staying quiet was essential to portraying the darkness of the role.

McConaughey explained that he had to be very reserved and unemotional to get into character. He remembered a rehearsal where the tension became obvious – when Harrelson tried to playfully banter with him as they often did, McConaughey responded as his character, Rust Cohle, with a cold and distant attitude.

McConaughey remembered being on set, just about to begin filming, and they were still rehearsing. He said that while he was getting into character as Rust Cohle, Woody Harrelson approached him and said he needed to talk.

Harrelson was attempting to jog McConaughey’s memory about their effortless on-screen connection, hoping to ease the tension. He explained, “It’s like when we act together, McConaughey – I give you something, you respond, then I react to that. We bounce off each other, creating both drama and humor.”

The disagreement arose because the actors had different ideas about how to handle the show’s dark and serious themes. True Detective followed two detectives as they investigated a serial killer over many years in the remote and mysterious parts of Louisiana. Harrelson thought the show was becoming too bleak and suggested adding some humor to lighten the mood.

Harrelson recalled telling McConaughey before filming began that audiences would expect some humor, so they should include jokes. He thought McConaughey would agree, but his co-star wouldn’t budge. “He just went, ‘Mhm,'” Harrelson said. “I kept waiting for him to say, ‘No, definitely no jokes,’ but he just kept saying, ‘Mhm, yeah.'”

In the end, Matthew McConaughey’s decision not to participate in future seasons of True Detective might have been the best thing for the show. The first season is now considered a television classic, winning five Emmy Awards and launching a highly successful period in McConaughey’s career. The show’s dark and thoughtful style became well-known, proving that viewers appreciate serious drama without needing constant humor.

Even though the show was hugely successful and remains popular, a reunion for the characters Rust and Marty is unlikely. Woody Harrelson recently shared with Today that he doesn’t want to revisit that story, feeling they achieved something special and don’t want to risk damaging its reputation.

Harrelson firmly ruled out a return, saying, “Absolutely not.” He explained that he’s happy with how things ended and believes revisiting the show would risk ruining its positive legacy.

Both actors have been consistently working in Hollywood since filming in the Louisiana bayou. Woody Harrelson continues to take on a variety of roles, from big-budget movies to more intimate, character-focused films. He recently appeared in the HBO series White House Plumbers, playing E. Howard Hunt, and starred alongside Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum in the 1960s comedy Fly Me to the Moon.

Harrelson continues to appear in the Venom movies and has also been involved in theater, recently working with Andy Serkis on a play. Beyond acting, he’s a dedicated environmental activist with a distinctive way of life. He also co-hosts the podcast Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson, where they have open and honest conversations with famous guests.

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2026-01-20 20:45