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Fargo (TV series)

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Fargo
Company typeTelevision series
IndustryEntertainment
FoundedApril 15, 2014; 12 years ago (2014-04-15)
FounderNoah Hawley
Headquarters
United States
Area served
United States
Key people
Noah Hawley (developer), Joel Coen (executive producer), Ethan Coen (executive producer)
ProductsTelevision series
Websitewww.fxnetworks.com/shows/fargo

Fargo is a U.S. television series blending black comedy and crime drama, developed by Noah Hawley for the FX network. Inspired by the 1996 film crafted by Joel and Ethan Coen, who later came on board as executive producers after being impressed by Hawley's screenplay, the show debuted on April 15, 2014.

As an anthology series, Fargo presents standalone seasons that maintain continuity with the original movie while featuring occasional narrative intersections. Across five seasons broadcast from 2014 through 2024, each installment introduces unique settings, ensembles, and characters. The timelines span from 1950 in season four up to 2019 in season five, predominantly situated in the American Midwest, particularly Minnesota. The plots frequently revolve around organized crime, law enforcement officers, and civilians whose lives become entangled amid intensifying conflicts.

The series has achieved widespread critical praise, securing seven Primetime Emmy Awards—including Outstanding Limited Series for its inaugural season—out of 70 nominations. It has also won three Golden Globe Awards such as Best Miniseries or Television Film for season one from 14 nominations, along with eight Critics' Choice Television Awards, including Best Movie/Miniseries twice for its first two seasons, from 22 nominations.

Season 1 (2014)

Set between January 2006 and February 2007 primarily in Minnesota and North Dakota, the first season follows Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton), who arrives in Bemidji, Minnesota and sows chaos through manipulation and violence. His actions deeply affect insurance salesman Lester Nygaard (Martin Freeman). The investigation into a string of homicides connected to Malvo and Nygaard is led by Deputy Molly Solverson (Allison Tolman) alongside Duluth officer Gus Grimly (Colin Hanks).

This inaugural season garnered several accolades, including Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Miniseries, Directing, and Casting. It received an additional 15 Emmy nominations covering Writing and performances by all four principal actors. Additionally, it won Golden Globe Awards for Best Miniseries and Best Actor – Miniseries awarded to Thornton.

Season 2 (2015)

Taking place in 1979 across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, season two centers on beautician Peggy Blumquist (Kirsten Dunst) and her butcher spouse Ed Blumquist (Jesse Plemons) as they attempt to conceal their involvement in a hit-and-run accident linked to the Gerhardt crime family led by matriarch Floyd Gerhardt (Jean Smart) in Fargo, North Dakota. Meanwhile, Minnesota State Trooper Lou Solverson (Patrick Wilson) teams with Sheriff Hank Larsson (Ted Danson) to probe a triple homicide connected to both the Gerhardts and the Kansas City mafia.

This season earned three Golden Globe nominations alongside numerous Emmy nods including Outstanding Miniseries and acting recognitions for Dunst, Plemons, Smart, and recurring guest star Bokeem Woodbine.

Season 3 (2017)

Set mainly in Minnesota during 2010–2011, the third season explores the rivalry between St. Cloud probation officer Ray Stussy (Ewan McGregor) and his affluent brother Emmit (also played by McGregor), known as Minnesota’s "Parking Lot King." Ray teams up with parolee Nikki Swango (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) in an attempt to steal a rare stamp from Emmit. Their scheme unravels following two deaths, including that of police chief Gloria Burgle's (Carrie Coon) stepfather. Concurrently, Emmit struggles to repay a loan to Narwhal—a shadowy firm led by V. M. Varga (David Thewlis)—which harbors its own sinister motives.

Premiering on April 19, 2017, this installment received Emmy nominations for Outstanding Miniseries as well as acting nods for McGregor, Coon, and Thewlis. It also secured three Golden Globe nominations including Outstanding Limited Series; McGregor won Best Actor.

Season 4 (2020)

Taking place in Kansas City, Missouri during 1950, the fourth installment explores the intense rivalry between the Cannon Limited, headed by Loy Cannon (Chris Rock), and the Fadda Family, led by Josto Fadda (Jason Schwartzman). To preserve a tenuous peace, both factions exchange their youngest sons as part of a customary pact. This delicate truce faces challenges from Josto's impulsive brother Gaetano (Salvatore Esposito) and the enigmatic nurse Oraetta Mayflower (Jessie Buckley). Concurrently, teenager Ethelrida Pearl Smutny (E'myri Crutchfield) becomes entangled in the criminal disputes due to her mortician parents’ financial obligations to Cannon Limited.

Covering events from 1950 to 1951, this season debuted on September 27, 2020.

Season 5 (2019–2024)

Set in late 2019 across North Dakota and Minnesota, the fifth season follows Dorothy "Dot" Lyon (Juno Temple), a housewife from Scandia who is abducted by Ole Munch (Sam Spruell) but manages to flee with assistance from North Dakota State Trooper Witt Farr (Lamorne Morris). Dot conceals the kidnapping incident from her spouse Wayne (David Rysdahl), while Farr and deputy Indira Olmstead (Richa Moorjani) conduct their investigation. Tensions escalate among Munch, his employer Roy Tillman (Jon Hamm), Stark County’s constitutional sheriff and Dot’s former husband, and Wayne’s wealthy mother Lorraine (Jennifer Jason Leigh), who leads a debt collection firm and suspects Dot orchestrated the abduction for financial gain.

The fifth season premiered on November 21, 2023, earning Golden Globe nominations for Best Miniseries or Television Film, with acting nods awarded to Hamm and Temple.

Season 1 cast

Season 2 cast

Season 3 cast

Season 4 cast

Season 5 cast

Recurring characters

Explanation of symbols
This chart displays characters who appear across multiple seasons and in at least three episodes.
A dark grey cell signifies the character is absent from that episode.
An denotes main cast membership for the season.
An indicates recurring cast participation for the season.
A marks guest appearances during the season.
An represents an older depiction of a character.
A indicates a younger portrayal of a character.
Cast across Fargo seasons
Character Seasons
Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Season 5
Mr. Wes Wrench Russell HarvardTemplate:Ref Corwin Gruter-AndrewTemplate:RefTemplate:Ref Russell HarvardTemplate:Ref
Lou Solverson Keith CarradineTemplate:Ref Patrick WilsonTemplate:Ref
Keith CarradineTemplate:Ref
Molly Solverson Allison TolmanTemplate:Ref Raven StewartTemplate:Ref
Allison TolmanTemplate:RefTemplate:Ref
Laura GeluchTemplate:RefTemplate:Ref
Libby SeltzerTemplate:RefTemplate:Ref
Gus Grimly Colin HanksTemplate:Ref Colin HanksTemplate:Ref
Ohanzee "Hanzee" Dent
Moses Tripoli 		Mark AchesonTemplate:Ref Zahn McClarnonTemplate:Ref
Mr. Grady Numbers Adam GoldbergTemplate:Ref Artem FomitchevTemplate:RefTemplate:Ref


Production

A television pilot inspired by the film was produced in 1997, featuring Edie Falco as Marge Gunderson and Bruce Bohne reprising his role as Officer Lou. Directed by Kathy Bates without any involvement from the Coen brothers, this pilot eventually aired in 2003 as part of Trio's Brilliant But Cancelled series highlighting unsuccessful TV projects.

In 2012, FX revealed plans to develop a new television adaptation based on the movie, with the Coen brothers serving as executive producers. The project was confirmed to be a limited series consisting of ten episodes. By August 2013, Billy Bob Thornton had joined the cast, followed by Martin Freeman and Colin Hanks. Filming commenced later that year in Calgary, Alberta.

The first season is set within the same fictional universe as the original film, which takes place in 1987 between Minneapolis and Brainerd. It incorporates a storyline involving the buried ransom money from the movie and includes numerous references linking back to it. To ensure authentic Minnesota accents, dialect coach Tony Alcantar was engaged and continued his coaching throughout subsequent seasons.

Following renewal in July 2014, creator Noah Hawley announced that the second season would be set in 1979, focusing on Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with additional locations including Luverne, Minnesota; Fargo, North Dakota; and Sioux Falls itself. This installment serves as a prequel to the film while thematically connecting all stories as parts of an overarching Midwest true crime narrative. Production took place from January to May 2015 in Calgary.

Production for the third season began in January 2017, also in Calgary. The fourth season experienced a halt in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic; initially scheduled to premiere on April 19, 2020, filming resumed by late August that year.

In February 2022, FX confirmed a fifth season renewal. Filming started by October 2022 in Calgary and extended into early 2023, with shoots reported at locations such as High River, Didsbury hospital, and Beiseker.

"This is a true story"

Every episode opens with the text displayed on screen:


Similar to the original movie, this statement is not factual. Showrunner Noah Hawley chose to maintain this element as a narrative technique to "present a story in an innovative manner." He intentionally blurred the boundaries of reality; regarding the character Charlie Gerhardt from season two, Hawley commented, "If he does exist, I would welcome receiving a letter from him someday, sharing how his life turned out."

During the 2017 ATX Television Festival held in Austin, Texas, Hawley expanded on the significance of the "true story" label: "What exactly do the words 'true story' imply?" His goal was to deconstruct this concept in Fargo season 3. Referencing Sy Feltz’s dialogue, Hawley highlighted his focus on this theme that season.

Release

The series premiered in Canada on April 15, 2014, airing initially on FX and FXX, with subsequent episodes continuing on FXX. The UK debut followed on April 16, 2014, via Channel 4. On May 1, 2014, it became available on SBS One in Australia and SoHo in New Zealand.

From 2015 through 2022, Netflix offered streaming access to seasons one through three across 20 different territories.

Critical response

The inaugural season received a Metacritic weighted average score of 85/100, indicating "universal acclaim." On Rotten Tomatoes, it garnered a 97% approval rating from 140 critics, with an average score of 8.45/10. The critical consensus praised its dark comedic tone and masterfully crafted fresh storyline. IGN awarded it a 9.7/10 score, commending both casting choices and script quality. The A.V. Club placed it sixth among the top television series of 2014.

Season two achieved exceptional acclaim with a Metacritic score of 96/100 and a flawless 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 233 critics, averaging 9.1/10. Reviewers attributed this success to its richly developed characters and incisive cynicism.

For the third season, Metacritic assigned an 89/100 score while Rotten Tomatoes reported a 93% positive rating based on 225 reviews. Critics lauded Ewan McGregor’s portrayal of dual roles for sustaining the show's signature sharp wit.

Season four saw more divided opinions due to its slower narrative pace, reflected by an 84% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 68/100. It was described as an engaging yet uneven installment featuring strong acting performances.

The fifth season marked a resurgence with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 93% from 55 reviews and an average rating of 8.5/10. Metacritic rated it at 80/100, highlighting generally favorable critiques that emphasized standout work by Juno Temple and Hamm.

Accolades

Fargo has secured victory in 51 out of its 226 award nominations. The first season earned eight Primetime Emmy Award nods, winning Outstanding Miniseries and awarding director Colin Bucksey Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries. It also received ten additional Creative Arts Emmy Award nominations, capturing Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries. The show garnered eight Golden Globe Award nominations, winning Best Miniseries and Best Actor for Billy Bob Thornton, who also earned a nomination for a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Additional distinctions include the American Film Institute Award recognizing it among the Top Ten Television Programs in both 2014 and 2015; the Artios Award for Excellence in Casting; a prestigious Peabody Award; seven Critics' Choice Television Award wins—including Best Miniseries and acting honors for Thornton, Allison Tolman, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, and Jean Smart; the Dorian Awards TV Drama of the Year; the Golden Reel Award for Best Music Score; two Producers Guild of America Awards for Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television; and a Writers Guild of America Awards accolade for Long Form – Adapted.

External links

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