Overview

For those who have enjoyed it, Fargo is a classic addition to their streaming library. This show falls into the genres of comedy, drama and crime – essentially offering something for everyone.

Originally, this concept came from the film which came out in 1996. Quite some time elapsed between the movies and the series, as Fargo made its debut in April 2014.

This show has received nominations for various awards, including 15 at the Primetime Emmy Awards. Furthermore, it has won a number of Golden Globe Awards. Here is the full lowdown on this critically acclaimed show.

Premise

A lot of action goes down in each season of Fargo. For example, season one sees Lorne Malvo take over a community in Minnesota with various lies and violent acts. Nygaard is a suspect alongside Malvo for a number of murders, according to two police officers.

In season two, more murder is encountered – this time when Peggy and her husband accidentally kill Rye Gerhardt in a hit and run. There is also a triple homicide which takes place at a local diner.

The third season focuses on Ray Stussy and Nikki Swango – played by Ewan McGregor and Mary Elizabeth Winstead respectively – aiming to have a higher quality life full of riches. They decide to pursue their endeavours by stealing a vintage stamp from Ray’s brother. However, two deaths come about, and the pair find themselves fighting to cover up their involvement in the crimes.

In season four, Chris Rock is the main star of the show. He is at the helm of a criminal organisation full of black migrants who are escaping the Jim Crow South. Furthermore, they have a difficult relationship with the mafia in Kansas City. This season is set in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1950. At the time of writing, this season is delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cast and characters

  • Billy Bob Thornton – Lorne Malvo
  • Allison Tolman – Deputy Molly Solverson
  • Colin Hanks – Officer Gus Grimly
  • Martin Freeman – Lester Nygaard
  • Kirsten Dunst – Peggy Blumquist
  • Patrick Wilson – State Trooper Lou Solverson
  • Jesse Plemons – Ed Blumquist
  • Jean Smart – Floyd Gerhardt
  • Ted Danson – Sheriff Hank Larsson
  • Ewan McGregor – Emmit and Ray Stussy
  • Carrie Coon – Gloria Burgle
  • Mary Elizabeth Winstead – Nikki Swango
  • Goran Bogdan – Yuri Gurka
  • David Thewlis – VM Varga
  • Chris Rock – Loy Cannon
  • Francesco Acquaroli – Ebal Violante
  • Andrew Bird – Thurman Smutney
  • Gaetano Bruno – Constant Calamita
  • Jessie Buckley – Oraetta Mayflower
  • Emyri Crutchfield – Ethelrida Pearl Smutney
  • Salvatore Esposito – Gaetano Fadda
  • Jeremie Harris – Leon Bittle
  • Jack Huston – Odis Weff
  • Amber Midthunder – Swanee Capps
  • Jason Schwartzman – Josto Fadda
  • Glynn Turman – Doctor Senator
  • Ben Whishaw – Rabbi Milligan
  • Anji White – Dibrell Smutney
  • Corey Hendrix – Omie Sparkman
  • Matthew Elam – Lemuel
  • Timothy Olyphant – Dick ‘Deafy’ Wickware
  • Karen Aldridge – Zelmare Roulette

Filming locations

The first season of Fargo was filmed in and around Calgary, Alberta. When the series was renewed, it was revealed that it would focus on Sioux Falls in South Dakota. A number of locations served as the settings for this season – namely Fargo, North Dakota, Sioux Falls, Minnesota and Luverne.

Production

The concept of Fargo was introduced back in 2012, when FX announced that they were developing a series based on the movie of the same name alongside the Coen brothers.

Initially, the series was labelled as a limited one with 10 episodes. This show is set in the fictional world seen in the movie – in other words, in the year 1987 in Minneapolis and Brainerd, Minnesota. While there are a number of references made to the film – such as buried ransom money – the series serves as a standalone creative adaptation.

Episodes and reception

The first season of Fargo was subject to high praise, with Rotten Tomatoes giving it a 97% critics rating and Metacritic serving it a score of 85 out of 100.

The second season did even better, with a 96 from Metacritic and 100% ‘certified fresh’ as the rating from Rotten Tomatoes.

Similarly high praise was received with the following season, as Metacritic awarded it a score of 89 while Rotten Tomatoes settled on 93% as their rating.

In total, Fargo has received 226 award nominations and won 51 of this number. Notably, this figure includes 8 nominations each for the Primetime Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards.

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Pros and cons

Pros

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Cons

  1. Lack of films and original content. As Hulu places a focus on TV shows, you may then conclude that competitors will have a better range of movies and original shows. Netflix is one of the main contenders here.
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Types of content available

To browse the available content, go to the ‘Browse’ button in the top left hand corner and select the filter. For example, if you want to watch TV shows, this is a filter, with genre sub categories including action, drama, family, game shows and comedy. Further filters are available as you scroll, so you can view content that it’s been predicted you will enjoy based on your preferences or viewing history. Furthermore, you can view which content is popular at the moment, which series have new episodes available, Hulu Originals and newly added shows. 

Available TV shows on Hulu include The Handmaid’s Tale, America’s Got Talent, Life of Kylie and King of the Hill. There are bite-sized episodes available for those who don’t have a lot of time on their hands, and you can catch up on missed episodes from both current and returning network shows. Many top comedies and dramas such as American Dad, Archer and 12 Monkeys are available to binge from the very first episode. Further filters include Staff Picks, International, Teen Shows and Anime Favourites.

When it comes to movies on Hulu, there is a similar selection of genre sub categories to use as filters, such as classics, history, horror and science fiction. Personalised recommendations are available at the top of the movies page, and there are also popular movies shown for users to browse. For example, people may be watching Deadwood The Movie, Jumanji and Night School. 

Certain movies are exclusive to Hulu, such as Ben is Back, Destroyer and Backtrace. Similarly, Hulu Originals are also showcased on the movies page, with titles including All That We Destroy, Ask Dr Ruth and Treehouse. If you want an 80s movie binge, to watch a critically acclaimed film or to browse staff picks, this is also possible. If you have an addon, such as HBO, Showtime or Starz, you can watch titles such as The Meg, Crazy Rich Asians, Den of Thieves, I Feel Pretty and Dr Seuss’ Horton Hears A Who.

Top Hulu TV shows and movies

The Handmaid’s Tale

Offred is one of a few remaining fertile women who must be a concubine for the Commanders in a dystopian society. She begins illegal relationships and dreams of being reunited with her daughter.

Castle Rock

This TV series takes place in the Stephen King multiverse. Death row attorney Henry Deaver is lured back to Castle Rock after an anonymous phone call. He returns to help a sinister man locked up under Shawshank Prison.

Marvel’s Runaways

Six teenagers come together against their mutual enemy – their criminal parents, who are part of a group called the Pride. They go on to live on the run as they figure out how to stop the Pride for good.

Seinfeld

A TV series based on real-life experiences from the comedian’s life. It was created by both Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, and stars a fictionalised version of Seinfeld. It is often described as a show about nothing.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Buffy Summers learns she is one of the chosen women who must play the part of Vampire Slayer. She wants to live a normal life but grows to accept her destiny.

Futurama

Fry is accidentally frozen and wakes up 1000 years in the future. He is taken in by his only family member – an elderly scientist. He works for his cargo delivery service alongside Leela, Hermes, Amy, Bender and Zoidberg.

The Path

Aaron Paul plays Eddie Lane, who is part of a new age spiritualist movement called Meyerism. However, he questions his faith right before he climbs its ladder, and his wife becomes suspicious when he meets with a Meyerist defector.

Letterkenny

A TV series which focuses on the goings-on in a small community in Canada. Wayne and Katy are siblings who run a farm and produce stand. Other groups in the community include the farmers, the local drug addicts, the natives and the out of towners on the local hockey team.

You’re The Worst

Jimmy and Gretchen meet at a wedding and decide to pursue a relationship. Their respective egos soon make life difficult as they battle it out. Jimmy receives tiny royalty checks for a single novel and Gretchen lives a sex, drugs and rock and roll lifestyle.

Wu-Tang: An American Saga

Set in New York City during the cocaine epidemic which took place at the start of the 1990s, this series chronicles the Wu-Tang Clan being formed. Diggs turns to rap so he can try to reach fame – going against the lifestyle of his brother Divine, who used drug selling to improve his family’s lifestyle.

User Interface

Hulu has worked to keep its user interface as consumer friendly and efficient as possible. Those who are watching on streaming players such as Roku, Fire TV and Apple TV will be able to make use of a grid guide which allows you to view shows up to 14 days into the future. You will also be able to see which shows are coming out in the next few weeks and plan recordings well in advance.

The Hulu app lets viewers see a grid of shows, allowing for easy choice and selection. There will be options to look through categories such as Sports, News, Movies and Kids. The personalisation level is high, as you can look at My Channels and Recent to access content you’re prone to regularly watching.

In terms of the on-demand interface, you will see rows of content displayed in a similar fashion to competitors such as Disney Plus and Netflix. You will be able to click on one of the titles under Keep Watching, or navigate to Jump Back In to return to shows you hit pause on in the past. There are also other useful categories such as TV, Movies, News, Kids and New Movies.

How to watch

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