Sounds like it's officially back from the dead. After the rushed production and poor critical reception of season two, there was a question as to whether Pizzolatto would ever return to the series, as he had reportedly soured on the process and had other shows/ideas he wanted to tackle. But it sounds like he got the bug in recent months to give it another go. In fact, he has not only already written the first two episodes of season three, but Deadwood creator David Mlich is joining Pizzolatto in some capacity as well - which is exactly what this series needs. Pizzolatto, if left to his own devices, can get a bit too out there and indulgent. He needs a ***unaga (edit: season one's director - TexAgs sensors the first three letters of his name) or Milch to help keep him in bounds so to speak, which is why I'm cautiously optimistic this go around.
That said, a third season hasn't even been greenlit yet, but all signs point to that happening soon. If so, I could maybe see a late 2018 premiere, but 2019 seems more likely. Could you imagine if it's the former, though? HBO's 2018 slate would include Westworld season two, the final season of Game of Thrones, and True Detective season three, likely in that order, and all back-to-back-to-back. Would be amazing.
That said, a third season hasn't even been greenlit yet, but all signs point to that happening soon. If so, I could maybe see a late 2018 premiere, but 2019 seems more likely. Could you imagine if it's the former, though? HBO's 2018 slate would include Westworld season two, the final season of Game of Thrones, and True Detective season three, likely in that order, and all back-to-back-to-back. Would be amazing.