According to a report from the Hollywood Reporter, the upcoming “Fargo” series from FX has finally cast the lead role. Martin Freeman, most known for his roles in The Hobbit, The World’s End and “Sherlock” will play Lester Nygaard, a similar character to the Jerry Lundegaard role played by William H. Macy in the original feature film.
The series will only be ten episodes long and will be based on the Joel and Ethan Coen’s Oscar-winning crime drama. Freeman joins Billy Bob Thornton who will play shows antagonist, Lorne Malvo, with plans for the episodes to explore other “true crimes” in Minnesota.
“Fargo” the series was adapted by Noah Hawley though the Coens are executive producing alongside Geyer Kosinski and Warren Littlefield. Adam Bernstein (“30 Rock”) is going to direct the premiere episode, which is expected to begin production next month, targeting a spring 2014 debut.
The original film was released in 1996. It stars Frances McDormand as a pregnant police chief who investigates a series of homicides and William H. Macy as a car salesman who hires two criminals to kidnap his wife. Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare play the criminals and Harve Presnell plays the salesman’s father-in-law.
