Fargo season three, Channel 4

Since Martin Freeman's astonishing run in season one of Noah Hawley's spin-off drama Fargo, there has been a dearth of British actors getting the chance to slip on a Minnesota accent and stand shivering in the bleak, snow-covered American landscape with murderous intent.

This season, now set in mid-slump 2010, British actors are taking over half of the starring roles. Ewan McGregor is even doubling up as two bothers.

The Star Wars actor is playing businessman Emmit Stussy and his sibling Ray, a parole officer who convinces a sad stoner into stealing a rare, collectable stamp from his brother Emmit. Police chief Gloria (Carrie Coon) is called into investigate the ensuing lethal mayhem. VM Varga (British actor David Thewlis) is a politically menacing Englishman. He represents shadowy 'investors' in Emmit's firm.



Fans of the original seasons (available to watch right here) will recognise familiar tropes from narratives past. Expect to see a crime that goes spectacularly wrong, family feuds, a powerful and a charming female cop.

In an attempt to shake the third series up and avoid endlessly recycling the Coen brother's original movie (which is certainly worth a watch), Hawley begins this season with an opening few scenes that are markedly different form what we've come to expect from the show.

The series opens on a what has been described by American reviewers as a Kafka-like prologue, in which a man is being interrogated in late-1980s Germany before we get out fix of blood-smattered snow, plenty of Minnesota charm and some world-class acting. We can't wait.

Fargo season three airs on Channel 4 Wednesday 31 May. Click here to catch up.