Jim Gaffigan Joins Fargo For Season 3

The third season of the Golden Globe winning TV series, Fargo, has added Jim Gaffigan to its ever-expanding cast list. The anthology show, created by Noah Hawley and inspired by the 1996 film of the same name, has become one of the most critically-acclaimed dramas on the schedule for network FX since it first arrived in 2014 and has enjoyed impressive ratings and quick season renewals.

The first season was set in 2006 and starred Martin Freeman, Billy Bob Thornton, Colin Hanks and Allison Tolman. It followed drifter Lorne Malvo in his influencing of local insurance salesman Lester Nygaard, and the murder and mayhem that followed. The second season was a prequel, set in 1979, and starred Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Jean Smart and Bokeem Woodbine. It followed a young couple as they attempted to cover up the vehicular murder of a member of a prominent local crime family.

Though the show is an anthology series, the first two seasons were connected by the father and daughter characters of Lou Solverson and Molly Solverson. In season 1, Lou Solverson was played by Keith Carradine, while in season 2 he was played by Patrick Wilson. His daughter, Molly, was played by Allison Tolman in season 1, and by Raven Stewart in season 2.

It’s not yet clear what the connection between the previous seasons and season 3 will be, and there has been no announcement of recurring characters thus far. What we do know is that Ewan McGregor will be the main star this time around, filling two roles as brothers Emmit and Ray Stussy. He is joined by Carrie Coon as Chief of Police Gloria Burgle who is adjusting to life as a newly divorced working mother, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead as recently paroled bridge player Nikki Swango – who is a noted strategist with a plan. Jim Gaffigan will play Police Deputy Donny Mashman.

Production on the third season of Fargo is set to begin later this year, with a 2017 premiere on FX anticipated. Noah Hawley is expected to direct an as-yet unspecified number of episodes, in addition to writing and producing for the series once again. Whether or not the show breaks with its own tradition and hires some women directors for its third season, remains to be seen.