Billy Bob Thornton is returning to TV for the first time since the 90s for the small screen adaptation of Fargo on FX. The 10-episode limited series was inspired by Joel and Ethan Coen’s movie and they teamed with Noah Hawley to deliver it to the cable network. Thornton will play Lorne Malvo, the evil influence on a small town insurance salesman that sets the stage for the series. Steve Buscemi played a variation on the character in the original film. The premiere episode will be directed by Emmy Award Winner Adam Bernstein from 30 Rock.
Production is set to begin in the fall and it is a product of MGM Television and FX Productions. Joel and Ethan Coen will executive produce. Thornton, who won an Oscar for his Sling Blade screenplay, was last seen on TV in Hearts Afire and The Outsiders. The original Fargo starred Frances McDormand, William H. Macy and Buscemi.
FX Networks is pushing the limited series concept. They have a whole new division dedicated to it run by Gina Balian who used to work at HBO. FX Networks plans to do one limited series next year, which will be Fargo, then they’ll do two the year after that, three the year after that and so on until we can’t tell one season from the next. John Landgraf, the CEO of FX Networks said "We're debating whether to put one on FX and one on FXM or both on FXM -- or both on FX. We haven't decided yet, partially, again, because we don't know what we're picking up and where we think is most appropriate distribution-wise."
The series will premiere in a spring 2014.
SOURCE: THR
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