Fargo Renewed for Season 2 By FX—But Is the Cast Returning?

The network announced that Noah Hawley's hit series would feature an all-new cast of characters, a new true crime and a new time period when it returns

By Tierney Bricker Jul 21, 2014 4:21 PMTags
FargoChris Large/FX

 You betcha this is awesome news!

Fargo has officially been picked up for a second season by FX, the network announced at the 2014 Summer TCA Press Tour on Monday, and you're darn tootin' we celebrated with some apple pie. But there will be some major changes when the series returns. 

Though executive producer and writer Noah Hawley will be back, Fargo's second season will feature an all-new cast of characters, a new time period and a new "true crime" story that will unfold over the course of 10 episodes. So yes, that means the ridiculously talented (and Emmy nominated) cast, which included Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, Colin Hanks and Allison Tolman, will (probably) not be returning. (Aw, geez!)

"We could not be more proud of Fargo," FX CEO John Landgraf said in a statement. "Noah's audacious, bordering on hubristic riff on my favorite Coen brothers film earned 18 Emmy nominations, the most of a single program in our history. Fargo was nothing short of breathtaking and we look forward to the next installment."

As for why the actors from season one won't be returning, Landgraf explained Fargo "demands" more realism than a series like American Horror Story, which features many of the same actors taking on new roles each season.

Unlike Coven...Fargo demands a different level of realism," he said. "No matter how unhinged and funny it is at times, it is intended to be pretty real." Still, he admitted it's "heartbreaking" not to have the season one cast return "given how much I love the actors."  

Chris Large/FX

After the bloody season one finale, we chatted with Hawley about the possibility of continuing Fargo, which was originally intended to be a 10-part miniseries.

"I like the image that there's a big book out there, that's leatherbound with illustrations that's The History of True Crime in the Midwest. And the movie was chapter one. And the story we just told is chapter two. And we can do just another chapter," he said. "I did like that you started out the season thinking that the first season was not connected to the movie in any way and then you realize that it is."

And Hawley talked about the benefits of doing an anthology series a la American Horror Story and True Detective, namely the big stars the format is able to entice.

"You can get a stellar cast because you're not asking them to commit to multiple seasons," he explained. "It's like a movie for them." 

Fargo, which is a co-production from MGM Television and FX, was recently nominated for 18 Emmys, including Outstanding Miniseries and acting nods for Freeman, Hanks, Thornton and Tolman, and the latter two gave us the Malvo and Molly showdown we always dreamed of but never got to see on the series. Watch their epic showdown!

Are you excited that Fargo is returning for a second season? Any actors you'd like to see star in the series? Sound off in the comments!

PHOTOS: 11 Fascinating Facts About Fargo