After what seems like an age, Fargo season five has just released its first details, including its anticipated November 21 air date, according to Deadline. It stars Jon Hamm, Juno Temple and Joe Keery.
Season five will take place after “an unexpected series of events lands Dorothy “Dot” Lyon (Juno Temple) in hot water with the authorities, this seemingly typical Midwestern housewife suddenly is plunged back into a life she thought she had left behind.” This premise seemingly sticks to what Fargo is known best for — following one small incident that snowballs into something bigger than anyone could have anticipated.
Naturally, this follows a fourth season that, whilst not critically panned, did not reach the critical highs of the first three seasons. Season five will take a different approach to its setting compared to its previous seasons, reportedly taking place in 2019. With previous seasons being set primarily sometime between the 1950s and 1980s, a modern day setting offers new possibilities for season five.
These possibilities can be explored via an interesting an exciting cast for season five. Hamm plays North Dakota Sheriff Roy Tillman, in his return to TV drama since Mad Men. Hamm is beloved in the TV world, and his Emmy-winning portrayal of Don Draper might aid him in another position of authority for Tillman. Whereas Draper stuck primarily to the book and concealed his true self, Fargo’s comparatively off-kilter tone will provide a different challenge for Hamm.
By his side is Joe Keery, playing Hamm’s son Gator, whom Deadline describes as “feckless”. Keery is mainly known for playing cool guy Steve Harrington in Stranger Things, a role that does not give him much to do apart from be charming. A role in Fargo that sees him as more accident prone, and amongst a cast of characters more colourful than Stranger Things, will allow Keery to flex his comedic muscles. We have already seen his ability for parody in Spree (2020), where he played a fame-obsessed Uber driver. As Fargo can sometimes lean into parody, Keery will hopefully prove to be a great casting choice.
Fargo season five sees the show searching for new territory in a more revived modern setting, whilst sticking close to the sort of premise that made fans of the Coen Brother’s classic fall in love with it. Hopefully, season five will prove a continuation of its fine form, when it premieres later this year.
Words by James Evenden
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