Joel and Ethan Coen’s dark comedy Fargo is a modern classic – there are few who would dispute that. The film’s revered status must be quite nerve-wracking, then, for FX, which will begin airing a miniseries adaptation of Fargo in a few weeks. Luckily, writer/showrunner Noah Hawley has assembled a very impressive cast to help him do right by the series’ inspiration.
Martin Freeman stars as a down-on-his-luck insurance salesman Lester Nygaard (the adaptation’s version of William H. Macy’s Jerry Lundegaard). When the deadly stranger Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton) blows through Fargo, leaving death and destruction in his wake, Lester is thrown headfirst into a series of criminal misadventures. Fargo also features an incredible supporting cast, including Colin Hanks, Allison Tolman, Bob Odenkirk, Oliver Platt, Kate Walsh, Keith Carradine, Adam Goldberg and Glenn Howerton.
Now, Yahoo has unveiled the first seven minutes of the miniseries’ pilot episode, titled “The Crocodile’s Dilemma.” Check it out below:
The series definitely seems to have captured the dour tone of the original film, so its next challenge will be weaving a compelling, enjoyable story that doesn’t simply copy the Coens’ work. Freeman seems to have mastered that elusive Minnesotian accent, and Thornton makes for a highly menacing baddie, so I’m already committed to watching the ten-episode limited series, if just to enjoy their interactions.
Fargo premieres on FX on April 15.
An original adaptation of the Academy Award®-winning feature film, Fargo features an all-new “true crime” story and follows a new case and new characters, all entrenched in the trademark humor, murder and “Minnesota nice” that made the film an enduring classic. Oscar® winner 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,” played by BAFTA Award® winner and Emmy®-nominated Martin Freeman. Colin Hanks plays Duluth Police Deputy “Gus Grimly,” a single dad who must choose between his own personal safety and his duty as a policeman when he comes face-to-face with a killer. Allison Tolman also stars as “Molly Solverson,” an ambitious Bemidji deputy.