Matthew McConaughey’s acting style once tested a co-star’s patience. While shooting the first season of True Detective in 2014, his full-on commitment to Rust Cohle got so intense that his co-star felt like punching him. Despite the tension, their fiery chemistry helped make the show a hit, earning Emmy acclaim and cementing their status as one of TV’s most unforgettable duos.
Matthew McConaughey’s co-star was pissed at him for this reason
Woody Harrelson, who played Detective Marty Hart, recalls the frustration he felt as he watched McConaughey fully embody Rust Cohle. He admitted to it during a recent podcast conversation with McConaughey and Ted Danson. “When we were shooting, he was Rust Cohle. There [were] so many times I wanted to punch this motherf—er in the face. I’m so pissed at him ’cause he’s in his character.”
Harrelson wanted the show to include more humor and tried to get McConaughey on board. “I remember saying, ‘Dude, people are gonna expect to laugh with us. We gotta throw some jokes in here.” McConaughey, however, remained committed to his character, nodding along but offering little verbal support. This led Harrelson to feel like he was “hitting the ball and Matthew just standing there at the baseline.”
Even with the early tension, McConaughey’s instincts paid off. The small bursts of humor that naturally appeared between the characters ended up becoming a signature of the show. “I got a hunch. That might end up being funny,” he recalled, and it did. “Oh, this motherf—er. And he was totally right,” Harrelson admitted.
Over time, the two actors grew to really respect each other’s skills, and True Detective became one of McConaughey’s favorite TV gigs. Now, they’re teaming up again for Apple TV+’s new comedy Brother From Another Mother, where they’ll play exaggerated, larger-than-life versions of themselves. While there’s no release date yet, fans can look forward to seeing their laugh-out-loud antics on a Texas ranch.
