As if I could love Martin Freeman anymore after “Sherlock” and The Hobbit but now he is starring in the television adaptation of one of my favorite movies? Yes, please. Earlier this week, FX officially released the first stills for their upcoming series, “Fargo,” via Yahoo! Movies.
“Fargo” will premiere this spring in a limited run and features an all-new “true crime” story, following a new case and new characters, all entrenched in the trademark humor, murder and “Minnesota nice” that has made the film an enduring classic. As previously announced, 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 Freeman. Hanks plays Duluth Police Deputy Gus Grimly, a single dad who must choose between his own personal safety when he comes face-to-face with a killer.
The film is based on the Joel and Ethan Coen’s Academy Award-winning feature film. The series adaptation stars Freeman, Billy Bob Thornton, Bob Odenkirk, and Colin Hanks.
Odenkirk plays Deputy Bill Olson, a Bemidji deputy with seniority over his younger, smarter and more ambitious fellow deputy.
Molly Solverson, played by Allison Tolman, who will be a series regular Oliver Platt will play Stavros Milos, the Supermarket King of Minnesota. Kate Walsh will star as Gina Hess, a former stripper and mother of teenaged twin boys. Glenn Howerton will play Don Chumph, an ambitious personal trainer. Joey King will play Gus’s daughter, Greta Grimly and Peter Breitmayer will play Lieutenant Schmidt, Gus’s superior officer. Tom Musgrave will portray Bo Munk, Lester’s boss at the Bo Munk Insurance Shop, and Josh Close will play Ron Nygaard, Lester’s younger and more successful brother. Russell Harvard and Adam Goldberg will play members of the Fargo Crime Syndicate, Mr. Wrench and Mr. Numbers, respectively – Mr. Wrench is the muscle. Mr. Numbers is the mouth.
A 10-episode limited series, “Fargo” is written by Noah Hawley. Adam Bernstein (“30 Rock”) will direct the premiere hour. Executive Producers are Hawley, Warren Littlefield, Joel & Ethan Coen, and Geyer Kosinski. “Fargo” is produced by FX Productions and MGM Television.
