Fargo, the series coming to Channel 4 this Spring

Channel 4 has acquired the UK premiere broadcast rights to 10-part TV series, Fargo starring Billy Bob Thornton (Sling Blade, A Simple Plan) and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit Trilogy, Sherlock), and inspired by the classic film of the same name.

The original adaptation by novelist/writer Noah Hawley (Bones, The Unusuals) will follow an all-new “true crime” story featuring a brand new case and new characters, all entrenched in the trademark humour, murder and “Minnesota nice” that has made the film an enduring classic.

Billy Bob Thornton stars as Lorne Malvo, a rootless, manipulative man who meets and forever changes the life of small town insurance salesman Lester Nygaard (Martin Freeman). Colin Hanks (Dexter, Parkland) plays Duluth Police Deputy Gus Grimly, a single dad who must choose between his own personal safety and his duty as a police officer when he comes face-to-face with a killer. Rounding out Fargo’s colourful cast of recurring characters is Emmy-winner Bob Odenkirk (Breaking Bad) who plays Deputy Bill Olson, a Bemidji deputy with seniority over his younger, smarter and more ambitious fellow deputy, Molly Solverson, played by Allison Tolman (Sordid Lives). Oliver Platt (Frost/Nixon, The Big C), will play Stavros Milos, the Supermarket King of Minnesota.

Channel 4 Chief Creative Officer Jay Hunt says; “Fargo is a perfect Channel 4 show – a dark comedy, beautifully directed with a stunning cast. We are excited to be bringing it to a British audience.”

Fargo is produced by MGM Television and FX Productions. Executive producers are Hawley, Warren Littlefield (My Generation, past President, NBC Entertainment), Joel & Ethan Coen (No Country For Old Men, True Grit), and Geyer Kosinski.

Fargo premieres in the U.S. on FX in April and will air shortly after on Channel 4 in the UK.