Watch Fargo

The acclaimed television series Fargo premiered on FX in 2014 as an adaptation of the 1996 film of the same name created by Joel and Ethan Coen. Set in and around the titular town of Fargo, North Dakota, the show follows a disparate group of characters whose lives become intertwined in unexpected and often dangerous ways.

At the center of the show's first season is Lorne Malvo, a mysterious and manipulative hitman portrayed by Billy Bob Thornton. Malvo's arrival in Fargo sets off a chain of events that draws in a broad cast of characters, including a small-town police officer named Molly Solverson (Allison Tolman), a frazzled insurance salesman named Lester Nygaard (Martin Freeman), and a determined deputy named Gus Grimly (Colin Hanks).

The show's first season unfolds over ten episodes, each of which is presented as a standalone chapter in a larger narrative. As the various plotlines intersect and cross over, viewers quickly discover that nothing in Fargo is quite as it seems. The show's quirky, offbeat sense of humor is balanced by moments of shocking violence and tense psychological drama, making each episode a wild and unpredictable ride.

In addition to Thornton, Tolman, Freeman, and Hanks, the first season of Fargo features a strong supporting cast that includes Bob Odenkirk as a bumbling police chief, Adam Goldberg as a ruthless henchman, Russell Harvard as a deaf hitman, Oliver Platt as a wealthy businessman with questionable ethics, and Patrick Wilson as a stoic state trooper.

As the season progresses, each character is tested in different ways, with some rising to the occasion and others falling apart under the pressure. Meanwhile, Malvo's machinations grow ever more twisted and unpredictable, leading to a climax that is as shocking as it is satisfying.

The second season of Fargo, which premiered in 2015, takes place in the late 1970s and features an all-new cast and storyline. This time around, the show focuses on a young couple named Peggy (Kirsten Dunst) and Ed (Jesse Plemons) who inadvertently find themselves caught up in a war between rival crime syndicates in the Midwest. Along the way, they cross paths with a motley assortment of characters, including a detective named Lou Solverson (Patrick Wilson) and a mob boss played by Jean Smart.

Like its predecessor, Fargo's second season is a wild, unpredictable ride that blends pitch-black comedy with moments of genuine emotional depth. The show's trademark quirks and idiosyncratic humor are present in full force, but this time around, the stakes feel even higher, with each character's fate seeming more precarious than the last.

Throughout both seasons of Fargo, the show's creators make ample use of the setting's bleak, snow-covered landscapes and the stoic Midwestern stoicism of its characters. From the show's distinctive music and production design to its surprising twists and turns, Fargo is a masterclass in character-driven storytelling, balancing humor, suspense, and drama in equal measure.

Overall, Fargo is a truly exceptional example of what television can achieve when talented filmmakers are given ample room to play. With a remarkable cast, distinctive style, and endlessly inventive storytelling, this show is not to be missed. For anyone looking for a crime drama with a unique voice and a sensibility all its own, Fargo is likely to be a strong contender.

Fargo is a series that is currently running and has 5 seasons (51 episodes). The series first aired on April 15, 2014.