Like the Coen brothers’ film that preceded it, FX show fargo is best known for its mix of dark humor and quirky Midwestern characters engaging in blood-filled adventures. Season 5 of the hit series, created by Noah Hawley (Legion), takes place in 2019 and returns to its roots in Minnesota after season 4 detoured to Kansas. The stars of the new season Ted Lasso‘s Juno Temple as Dorothy “Dot” Lyon, a housewife in trouble with the authorities and on the run from a mysterious past that unfolds over 10 episodes.
fargo Season 5 also stars Jon Hamm in another villain role after his power-up. The morning program. Hamm plays North Dakota Sheriff Roy Tillman, a supposed constitutional lawman who keeps his word. is law, and who is hunting Dorothy because of their shared history. He’s joined by Joe Keey as Gator, Roy’s disappointing son, and Sam Spruell as Ole Munch, a potentially mystical hitman tracking her down. The iconic Jennifer Jason Leigh is also part of the cast, playing Dot’s mother-in-law, Lorraine Lyon, who can’t believe the kind of woman her son Wayne (David Rysdal) married.
Screen Rant interviewed Jon Hamm about joining fargo season 5, collaborating with Noah Hawley to develop the character of Roy Tillman and the nuance of being consumed by an opponent you can’t see on screen.
Jon Hamm talks about Fargo season 5
Screen Rant: I imagine any actor with a funny bone in their body would want to be in fargoBut what specifically attracted you to Minnesota?
Jon Hamm: Obviously, I don’t know if it’s obvious, but it is to me. He was a big fan of the show from the get-go. I remember thinking, “Who has the guts to adapt this beloved movie into something and what are they going to do?” And then when I saw what they did, I was tremendously impressed.
I got to know Noah not only during the show but also over the next decade. It was a mutual admiration society and I got to work with him on a couple of things. We still like each other, which is good. So when he offered me the opportunity to work on this, I knew it would be something special and I trusted him. And I’m glad I did.
When working with Noah, who is clearly a genius, is there a back and forth when talking about Roy and who he is? Or do you really dive headfirst into the vision of it?
Jon Hamm: I think it’s a little bit of both. I love talking to Noah because he’s a smart guy and he’s so knowledgeable on so many angles about the characters and the storytelling and everything else. So it’s fun to talk to someone like that. But when it comes to details and details, that’s not my job. I’m very happy to leave that in someone’s hands where the proof is in the pudding. And the pudding from it is very fermented at this point.
I love the cat and mouse game between you and Juno Temple as Dot, but I’m waiting for this real showdown. What can you say about her dynamic and why her running away from him is so detrimental to her worldview?
Jon Hamm: It’s an interesting way they tell this story because I haven’t seen this in… I don’t think ever, especially in a season of television where the two main characters spend most of the season not interacting with each other. . They’re sort of on parallel paths until, of course, they’re not and they collide. I think it’s an interesting way to do it.
I think we hear about his story more than we see it. You get a sort of Rashomon feeling: “Well, who’s telling the real story and who do we believe?” And both have their darkness, for sure. It’s largely a story of what exactly happened here, what it is, and who we believe. How dark is it? And what will we come to discover? So it’s done in a tremendously creative way, as we’ve come to expect from “Fargo.” And I’m really looking forward to people seeing the rest of the season.
Between Roy, Paul Marks, and Coach Carr, you’re on a bit of a villainous streak. Do you have more fun playing the bad guy or the different shades of gray?
Jon Hamm: I mean, Coach Carr, what did you do? He’s just trying to teach people how to play kickball!
It’s fun to play the antagonist, for sure. Obviously, if it was something like The Morning Show, you’d be entering something established, so you know your place in the firmament. I came into that show as a bit of a disruptor, which was also pretty fun. I don’t think he’s necessarily a quote-unquote “bad” guy, maybe misunderstood. But Roy is a pretty bad guy, sure.
They’re a lot of fun to play, especially when they’re also scripted, as they are on this particular show and of course on The Morning Show as well. When you work with such high-level people, whether it’s Jennifer Aniston or Jennifer Jason Leigh, it’s a lot of fun. It’s fun to come to work when those are your scene partners. And I had a lot of fun working on this, on both shows, in fact.
Last but not least, many moons ago there was a conversation about you as Mister Sinister, and X-Men Comics even had a cameo for a page. Now that the X-Men are finally in the MCU, are we any closer to seeing you on that screen?
Jon Hamm: I don’t know. Those decisions are made at such a high level right now, definitely above my pay grade. I’d love to. I’ve been a fan of Marvel Comics and comics in general since I was probably in the single digits. I think there are tons of stories that I at least know that are yet to be told.
Hopefully, whatever your plans are, they include me. But if not, I know they have a pretty large group of people who are ready to be a part of those stories. There are certainly many stories to tell in the world of X-Men. The Fantastic Four too [like] Doctor Death. There are so many wonderful things out there. But yes, I hope to have a chance. Who knows?
About Fargo Season 5
The latest installment of Fargo is set in Minnesota and North Dakota, 2019. After an unexpected series of events puts “Dorothy ‘Dot’ Lyon” (Juno Temple) in trouble with the authorities, this seemingly typical housewife from the The Midwest is suddenly plunged back into a life she thought she left behind. North Dakota Sheriff “Roy Tillman” (Jon Hamm) has been searching for Dot for a long time. Roy, a rancher, preacher, and constitutional lawman, believes that he is the law and therefore above the law. At his side is his loyal but irresponsible son, “Gator” (Joe Keery), who is desperate to prove himself to his grandiose father. He pities that he has no remedy. So when it comes to hunting down Dot, Roy recruits “Ole Munch” (Sam Spruell), a shadowy drifter of mysterious origin.
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The first two episodes of fargo Season 5 will premiere on November 21 on FX at 10 pm ET, with new episodes airing every Tuesday. Each will be available to stream the next day on Hulu.
Fountain: Rant Plus Screen