Another Stab at Fargo

Tonight (April 15th) the FX network brings another take on the Coen Brothers' Fargo.  Luckily, this is not a remake of the 1996 movie but instead a similar dark story in a similar setting.  And best of all, the Coen Brothers are still involved, insuring it will have some staying power.  Even better, you have an excellent cast that includes Billy Bob Thorton and Martin Freeman (Sherlock and The Hobbit).  Having Mr. Thornton play evil incarnate is easy to envision, but casting Mr. Freeman as a Minnesotan seems like quite the challenge and should be fun to behold.

Here is the basic story from FX:

 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.

This ten-part series should be worth a look in these days of overbrimming TV schedules.