The HBO drama series “True Detective” appears to have settled on a well-known actress as the second season’s female lead. Writing on Deadline.com, Nellie Andreeva reports that the show has its sights set on putting Rachel McAdams of “The Time Traveler’s Wife” in the role.

However, McAdams, known primarily for her work in feature films, is still in discussions with HBO about the gig, the story adds.

“While the actors for the three main male parts were identified early on, the search for the lead female role was pretty extensive. McAdams was an early frontrunner but she didn’t read and had a potential scheduling issue with a movie,” Andreeva writes.

The report adds: “Last week, seven actresses read for creator Nic Pizzolatto. Of them, I hear he was particularly impressed by Brit Marling, who I hear met again. Over the past couple of days, the attention focused on McAdams, Marling, as well as a late entry into the fray, Keira Knightley. Word started going around [Wednesday] night that McAdams was the choice and has been offered the role, information that was denied by her reps early [Thursday] morning and reiterated later — after Variety posted a story claiming McAdams indeed has a formal offer.”

McAdams would play a tough sheriff named Ani Bezzerides, who drinks and gambles when she’s not working.

The key male roles for season two have been filled by Colin Farrell and Vince Vaughn, with Taylor Kitsch unofficially also lined up for a major role.

Rachel McAdams