| Matthew McConaughey | Detective Rust Cohle |
| Woody Harrelson | Detective Marty Hart |
| Michelle Monaghan | Maggie Hart |
| Michael Potts | Detective Maynard Gilbough |
| Tory Kittles | Detective Thomas Papania |
| Alexandra Daddario | Lisa Tragnetti |
| Kevin Dunn | Major Ken Quesada |
| Clarke Peters | Minister |
| Jay O. Sanders | Billy Lee Tuttle |
| Christopher Berry | Danny Fontenot |
| Brad Carter | Charlie Lange |
| Joe Chrest | Detective Demma |
| Jennifer K. Dawson | Erath Woman
(as Jennifer Dawson) |
| J.D. Evermore | Detective Lutz
(as JD Evermore) |
| Dana Gourrier | Cathleen |
| Charleigh Bryant-Stelly | Anette
(as Charleigh Harmon) |
| Michael Harney | Steve Geraci
(as Michael J. Harney) |
| Davi Jay | Gordon DiCillo |
| Jason Kirkpatrick | Deputy |
| Tony Molina Jr. | Detective
(as Anthony Molina) |
| Alyshia Ochse | Lucy |
| Dane Rhodes | Detective Favre |
| Ron Clinton Smith | Sheriff Tate |
| Charley Vance | Erath Man |
| Wanetah Walmsley | Marie Fontenot |
| Madison Wolfe | Audrey Hart |
| Meghan Wolfe | Maisie Hart |
| Don Yesso | Commander Speece |
| Jon Arthur | Detective
(uncredited) |
| Rex Baker | Narcotics Officer
(uncredited) |
| Amanda Rose Batz | Dora Kelly Lange
(uncredited) |
| Skip Bolen | Forensic Photographer
(uncredited) |
| Brian Bossetta | Reporter
(uncredited) |
| Kenneth Kynt Bryan | Transsexual Hooker
(uncredited) |
| Divine Prince Ty Emmecca | Gay Prostitute
(uncredited) |
| Will Koberg | Trooper
(uncredited) |
| Elton LeBlanc | Good Ol Boy
(uncredited) |
| Chris McKnight | Detective
(uncredited) |
| Scott Everett Nichols | Truck Driver
(uncredited) |
| Lola Phillips | Neighborhood Kid
(uncredited) |
| Robert Segari | Detective
(uncredited) |
| Tommy Sheppard | Bar Patron
(uncredited) |
| Florence Young | Reporter
(uncredited) |