Jodie Foster and Kali Reis told USA TODAY’s Bryan Alexander about the challenges of filming “True Detective: Night Country” in Iceland.

Hollywood has a way of turning even the most challenging experiences into moments of camaraderie and humor, as evidenced by Jodie Foster and Kali Reis during the production of True Detective: Night Country. The fourth season of HBO’s acclaimed anthology series took the cast and crew to the icy landscapes of Iceland, standing in for the fictional town of Ennis, Alaska. In a series of interviews, Foster and Reis shared lighthearted anecdotes about the brutal filming conditions, offering a glimpse into the resilience and humor that helped them navigate the subzero temperatures and relentless darkness. Their stories, compiled from various online sources, highlight not only the physical challenges of shooting in such an extreme environment but also the bond they forged while bringing this chilling narrative to life.

A New Chapter for True Detective

True Detective: Night Country, which premiered on January 14, 2024, marked a significant departure from the previous seasons of the anthology series. Unlike the male-dominated narratives of seasons past, this installment, helmed by Mexican filmmaker Issa López, placed two women at the center of the story. Jodie Foster, a two-time Oscar winner known for her role as Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs, stars as Liz Danvers, the cynical police chief of Ennis. Kali Reis, a former world champion boxer and rising actress of Indigenous descent, plays Evangeline Navarro, a state trooper with a deep connection to the local community. The season follows the pair as they investigate the mysterious disappearance and gruesome deaths of scientists at an Arctic research station, a case intertwined with the unsolved murder of an Indigenous woman.

The decision to set the story in the perpetual darkness of an Alaskan winter brought a new level of intensity to the series. To capture the eerie, isolated atmosphere, production moved to Iceland, where the cast and crew faced temperatures as low as -23 degrees Celsius, long night shoots, and unpredictable weather. Foster and Reis, in interviews with outlets like USA TODAY and NPR, reflected on these challenges with a mix of humor and admiration for the experience, showcasing their ability to find levity in even the most grueling circumstances.

The Frigid Reality of Filming in Iceland

Filming in Iceland was no small feat, and Foster and Reis didn’t shy away from joking about the harsh conditions. In an interview with USA TODAY’s Bryan Alexander, Foster described the physical toll of working in the cold: “It’s challenging. They have heating pads, but unfortunately, you have to breathe in that cold air. It’s hard to talk.” Reis, chiming in with her characteristic wit, added, “I tried to warm up my mouth before having to say a line—every single time, it didn’t work. Finally, I had to say, ‘Forget it!’” Their laughter over the struggle to deliver lines in the freezing air highlighted their ability to adapt, even as the environment tested their limits.

The cold wasn’t just a physical challenge; it became a character in itself, influencing the way the actors portrayed Danvers and Navarro. Foster noted in an NPR interview with Juana Summers that the icy conditions helped them understand their characters on a deeper level. “It made us really understand the characters in a way through our bodies, in a way that we wouldn’t be able to otherwise,” she said. “It gives us a real appreciation for these North Country inhabitants, for the people that grew up there in that kind of isolation, that kind of survival.” Reis echoed this sentiment, adding that the cold added to the “depth and darkness” of the story, a fitting backdrop for the season’s haunting narrative.

One particularly memorable anecdote came from their time shooting pivotal scenes in a snow cave, which were filmed on a set rather than outdoors. Despite being indoors, the actors wore heavy parkas to simulate the Arctic chill, with computer-generated breath added in post-production to enhance the realism. Reis, drawing on her background as a boxer accustomed to making weight, quipped to USA TODAY, “I was sweating, and Issa would be like, ‘You’re cold!’ I was like, ‘Right!’” Her ability to look convincingly chilled while overheating showcased her professionalism, but her playful recounting of the moment underscored the camaraderie that developed on set.

Bonding Through the Cold

The harsh conditions didn’t just test Foster and Reis—they brought them closer together. In interviews, both actresses spoke warmly of their collaboration, often using humor to describe their dynamic. Reis, a relative newcomer to acting compared to Foster’s decades-long career, admitted to NPR that she was initially “intimidated” by working with the Hollywood legend. Foster, ever the supportive co-star, laughed off the comment, fostering an environment where Reis felt comfortable stepping into the spotlight. Their chemistry, both on and off screen, became a cornerstone of the season’s success, with critics praising the tension and eventual understanding between Danvers and Navarro.

The Iceland shoot also provided moments of unexpected beauty that Foster and Reis cherished, even as they battled the elements. In an interview with Icelandair, Foster recalled a magical experience: “What was really great was when we were shooting outside…and then suddenly the northern lights start happening, and we all just stop…and start looking at the northern lights. That was pretty great.” These fleeting moments of wonder offered a reprieve from the grueling schedule, reminding the cast and crew of the unique setting they were working in. Reis, who spent seven months in Iceland for the 120-day shoot, told NBC News that the northern lights were a highlight, joking, “You can’t get used to the wind in Iceland, but you can look up and see the northern lights and, you know, that’s great.”

Their shared experiences extended beyond the set. After wrapping production, Foster and Reis took a summer trip to real Alaska with Reis’s husband and trainer, Brian Cohen, to visit the Indigenous communities that had inspired the season’s story. Reis, who is of Seaconke Wampanoag and Cape Verdean descent, spoke to CBR about the importance of authenticity in depicting Alaska’s Native population, noting that the production “brought Alaska” to Iceland by flying in Indigenous actors from Alaska and Greenland. The trip to Alaska, filled with local cuisine, traditional singing, and dancing, was a “thank you” to those communities, and Foster and Reis’s lighthearted recounting of the visit reflected their genuine appreciation for the cultural exchange.

Overcoming Challenges with Humor

The physical demands of shooting in Iceland were undeniable, but Foster and Reis’s ability to joke about their struggles revealed their resilience. Foster, who has been acting for nearly six decades, told NBC News that this was “the most difficult shoot she’d ever done.” Reis, overhearing this in the makeup trailer, recalled her reaction with a laugh: “Jesus, what did I get myself into?” Yet, she approached the challenge with the same determination that made her a champion boxer, viewing it as “just another grueling training period” with a victory on the other side, as she shared with Vulture.

Foster also faced her own fears during the production, particularly in scenes involving water. In a Vogue interview, she recounted her anxiety about a sequence where her character falls through ice into freezing water: “I kept asking about the falling-through-the-ice business. I asked for a couple of months and never got answers. Then I started getting worried—I was like, ‘We’re not really doing it in the water, right?’” The scene was ultimately shot in a controlled tank, but Foster’s humorous retelling of her apprehension—complete with her weighted-down costume and a diver pulling her up—highlighted her ability to find levity in even the most nerve-wracking moments.

Reis, meanwhile, brought her boxing background into play, both in her performance and in her ability to handle the physical demands of the shoot. She told Vogue that the parallels between boxing and acting helped her navigate the role: “Boxing is such an entertainment industry in itself. We have a ring up there, it’s our stage. We have to perform.” Her playful remark, “At least I’m not getting punched in the face,” drew a laugh from Foster, encapsulating their shared sense of humor in the face of adversity.

A Female-Driven Narrative in a Harsh Landscape

The Iceland setting wasn’t just a backdrop for physical challenges—it also amplified the season’s female-driven narrative. Foster and Reis both emphasized the importance of the story’s focus on women, particularly Indigenous women, a perspective that set Night Country apart from previous seasons. In a press conference reported by Women’s Media Center, Foster noted that the “female-centered and female-natured quality” of the story, combined with the Arctic landscape’s spiritual elements, was what drew her to the project. Reis, whose character Navarro is of Inupiat and Dominican descent, told NPR that working with Indigenous actors from Alaska and Greenland was a highlight, allowing her to learn about their culture and ensure authentic representation.

The cold, dark environment of Iceland mirrored the emotional and psychological struggles of Danvers and Navarro, who are both haunted by past traumas. Foster’s character, described as “cynical” and “kind of awful,” learns to confront her inner suffering, while Reis’s Navarro navigates the tension between the spiritual and rational worlds. The actresses’ ability to joke about their own challenges in Iceland reflected the strength they brought to their roles, embodying the resilience of the women they portrayed.

A Lasting Bond and a Critical Success

True Detective: Night Country has been widely praised, with USA TODAY’s Kelly Lawler declaring it “so good, it might be better than Season 1.” Much of this acclaim stems from the chemistry between Foster and Reis, whose real-life bond translated into a compelling on-screen partnership. Their shared laughter over the Iceland shoot—whether it was struggling to speak in the cold, sweating in parkas, or marveling at the northern lights—underscored the trust and mutual respect that defined their collaboration. Foster told NPR, “This was such a provocative and important experience for me, really one of the most and the best in my career,” while Reis likened working with Foster to attending a “private acting college,” as shared with CBR.

As of May 2025, the impact of Night Country continues to resonate, with Foster earning an Emmy for her role in 2024. The season’s success, coupled with Foster and Reis’s humorous reflections on their time in Iceland, serves as a testament to the power of finding joy in adversity. Their stories remind us that even in the coldest, darkest moments, human connection and a good laugh can light the way.