Channel 4 acquires Fargo, the series

Channel 4 has acquired the UK premiere broadcast rights to Fargo, a brand new 10-part television series inspired by the classic film of the same title and will TX on Channel 4 in Spring 2014. The series is an original adaptation by novelist/writer Noah Hawley (Bones, The Unusuals) and is executive produced by Hawley, Warren Littlefield (My Generation, past President, NBC Entertainment), Joel & Ethan Coen (No Country For Old Men, A Serious Man, True Grit), and Geyer Kosinski.

Fargo is produced by MGM Television and FX Productions, with MGM Television serving as the lead studio and international distributor of the series outside of the U.S. and Canada. The series premieres in the U.S. on FX in April and will air shortly after on Channel 4 in the UK.

Fargo will follow an all-new “true crime” story featuring a brand new case and new characters, all entrenched in the trademark humour, murder and “Minnesota nice” that has made the film an enduring classic. Oscar® winner Billy Bob Thornton (Sling Blade, A Simple Plan) 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 (The Hobbit Trilogy, Sherlock). Colin Hanks (Dexter, Parkland) plays Duluth Police Deputy Gus Grimly, a single dad who must choose between his own personal safety and his duty as a police officer when he comes face-to-face with a killer. Rounding out Fargo’s colourful cast of recurring characters is Emmy®-winner Bob Odenkirk (Breaking Bad) who plays Deputy Bill Olson, a Bemidji deputy with seniority over his younger, smarter and more ambitious fellow deputy, Molly Solverson, played by Allison Tolman (Sordid Lives). Golden Globe™ and Emmy-nominated Oliver Platt (Frost/Nixon, The Big C), will play Stavros Milos, the Supermarket King of Minnesota.

Channel 4 Chief Creative Officer Jay Hunt says; “Fargo is a perfect Channel 4 show – a dark comedy, beautifully directed with a stunning cast. We are excited to be bringing it to a British audience.”

“We are so happy to have Channel 4 as our broadcast partner in the UK and are thrilled to have been part of the team that brought Fargo to life. We look forward to introducing it to audiences worldwide,” said Chris Ottinger, President, International Television Distribution & Acquisitions, MGM.