Rachel McAdams lands True Detective's female lead

Actress Rachel McAdams. Photo / Getty Images

Rachel McAdams has landed one of the female leads in the second season of True Detective.

The Notebook star will play the hotly tipped role of uncompromising and ethical Sheriff Ani Bezzerides on HBO's hit crime drama series, the network has confirmed.

The news follows months of speculation during which a slew of Hollywood actresses were rumoured to be taking Bezzerides' role including Jessica Biel, Elisabeth Moss, Jessica Chastain, Rosario Dawson, Malin Akerman, Brit Marling and Keira Knightley.

Sherlock Holmes star Kelly Reilly will also join previously announced cast members Vince Vaughn, Colin Farrell and Taylor Kitsch.

Reilly will play the other female lead of Jordan, a former D-list actress and wife of career criminal Frank Semyon (Vaughn).

Farrell will portray compromised detective Ray Velcoro, while Kitsch will take on the character of Paul Woodrugh, a war veteran and motorcycle officer for the California Highway Patrol on the run from a difficult past.

The second season of the Emmy-nominated eight-part mini-series, written by Nic Pizzolatto, is currently in production in California.

The plot will focus on three police officers and a career criminal who find themselves navigating "a web of conspiracy in the aftermath of a murder".

A premiere date has yet to be announced, but Fast & Furious director Justin Lin will direct the first two episodes.

Season one, set in Louisiana, revolved around a string of satanic murders and starred seasoned actors Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson.

- AAP