Jodie Foster Returns to Television in HBO’s “True Detective: Night Country”
Over 30 years after her iconic role in “The Silence of the Lambs,” Jodie Foster is back on the small screen, describing her latest character in HBO’s “True Detective: Night Country” as the most impactful of her career. The fourth season, created by Issa López, premiered on January 14th.
Foster plays Liz Danvers, an Alaskan cop, alongside Kali Reis as Evangeline Navarro, as they tackle interconnected mysteries – the disappearance of scientists from a research station and the death of a local indigenous woman. Set against the backdrop of the Alaskan wilderness during Polar Night, the series was filmed in Iceland, providing a stark and gritty atmosphere.
In an interview with TODAY.com, Foster draws comparisons between her “Silence of the Lambs” character, Clarice Starling, and Liz Danvers, emphasizing their divergent paths and noting that Danvers is a more complex and damaged personality.
Exploring the psychology of her character, Foster explains Danvers’ tough exterior, attributing it to grief and a reluctance to face personal demons. “She’s grieving and doesn’t want to face demons that will involve suffering. Like all of us, I think we don’t want to suffer. In her case, I guess that’s what the tough veneer is hiding; she just doesn’t want to fall apart.”
The seasoned actor, known for her diverse roles, admits that Liz Danvers is a departure from her usual characters. “I think Liz Danvers is pretty far from me; I don’t think I’ve ever played anyone like her.”
Foster’s co-star, Kali Reis, brings a fresh perspective to the series as a professional boxer and relative newcomer to acting. The on-screen chemistry between Foster and Reis, who play characters in conflict, adds tension and layers to the storyline.
The narrative also addresses real-world issues, with Reis, of Native American descent, using her role to shed light on the plight of indigenous women who go missing or are murdered. “Evangeline Navarro has such a passion and a drive to fight for what’s just, for women and women who don’t get their just due,” says Reis.
“True Detective: Night Country” marks Foster’s return to television after more than four decades, and she expresses excitement about the experience, praising director Issa López as everything she could ask for in a director.
As the latest installment gains attention, both Foster and Reis emphasize the pride they feel in the project, regardless of its reception. “We knew that everybody was going to see it eventually, but if nobody saw it, I think we’d be as proud of it,” says Reis.
Foster adds, “It was really just for us. It was just a special experience for us.” The return to television and the unique storytelling in “True Detective: Night Country” has left both actors with a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work.
We’re catching up with Jodie Foster about the latest season of ‘True Detective,’ the lasting legacy of her role in ‘Silence of the Lambs’ and answers a question about her wife, Alex, that was submitted by her “bestie” Jamie Lee Curtis! pic.twitter.com/XanoHk6Uox
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 17, 2024