True Detective star Woody Harrelson to play a cop in Triple Nine thriller

The news comes after Harrelson confirmed he would not be returning for a second season of the HBO crime drama

Woody Harrelson as Detective Martin Hart in True Detective

(HBO)

True Detective actor Woody Harrelson has joined the cast of John Hillcoat's forthcoming thriller Triple Nine.

The 52-year-old, who currently stars alongside Matthew McConaughey in the HBO crime drama, adds further weight to an impressive ensemble cast including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael B Jordan, Kate Winslet, Aaron Paul, Teresa Palmer, and Gal Gadot.

Written by Matt Cook, the film sees a group of corrupt cops blackmailed by the Russian mafia to perform a near-impossible heist, in which they must manufacture a “triple nine” - the police code for “officer down”.

But their plan is soon turned upside down when the targeted officer foils their attack.

Harrelson will play Sergeant Detective Jeffrey Allen, with Casey Affleck playing his nephew and fellow officer.

The news will be welcomed by fans following Harrelson's announcement that he will not be returning for season two of True Detective.

With McConaughey also stepping down, the rumour mill has been churning, with Brad Pitt mooted as a hot favourite to step into the shoes of one half of the detective duo.

Triple Nine is due for release in 2015 and filming begins in the summer.