If you are a crime anthology fan, do not miss Noah Hawley’s masterpiece ‘Fargo’. The television series has five seasons and is one of the highest-rated shows by Rotten Tomatoes. The show made its first appearance on television, thanks to the FX network in 2014. It was only until very recently in 2022, that it was made available on Netflix after which many viewers like me, watched it. The show is inspired by the 1996 American cult film ‘Fargo’ and the events in the show are loosely based on a timeline after the end of the film—like a sequel.

The majority of the four seasons are shot in Minnesota, Fargo, and North Dakota and the overall cinematic atmosphere is dark and eerie, complemented by the immense cold weather in those regions. The first season follows a dual narrative as the events unfold from the perspective of two characters— Lester Nygard, played by Martin Freeman, and Lorne Malvo, played by the legendary Billy Bob Thorton. Lester is a sore loser of a husband whose life drastically changes when his fate makes him cross paths with the diabolical contract killer, Lorne Malvo. What follows is a story of mayhem and chaos that turns the lives around of many people in the small city of Bemidji.

Set in Luverne, the second season follows the story through the eyes of a beautician, Peggy (Kirsten Dunst), and her husband, a butcher played by Jesse Plemons, a rising star in the American television industry. The lives of these two ordinary citizens take a complete topsy-turvy as they try to cover a hit-and-run case and their victim turns out to be the youngest son of a renowned mob family. The cinematography is excellent with many bird’s eye shots and the colorful frames, accompanied by blood and gore, is a classic Coen Brothers cinematic treatment.

The third season is a bit of a let-down compared to the high standards set by the first two. The story follows the antagonist Varga, played by David Thewlis, known worldwide for his role as Professor Lupin in the Harry Potter series. He is an international criminal who bleeds healthy companies dry through financial maneuvers and blackmail.

The fourth and fifth seasons’ rights have not been purchased by Netflix. All the stories in Fargo are based on true events and it is a must-watch series for crime drama enthusiasts.