One of the reasons that producing “Sherlock” is so difficult is that its stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are heavily in demand for movies. However, Freeman has just signed up for a new TV miniseries… it just won’t be on British television.
Freeman has been cast as the co-lead of FX’s “Fargo” miniseries, opposite Billy Bob Thornton. The new ten episode miniseries is inspired by Joel and Ethan Coen’s Fargo feature film; with the Coen brothers on board the miniseries as executive producers.
The central character will be Freeman’s Lester Nygaard, “a small town insurance salesman henpecked by his wife, whose life is changed when a mysterious stranger, Lorne Malvo (Thornton), comes to town.”
Reportedly the “Fargo” miniseries will feature brand new characters and a new case while maintaining the original setting. That said, Freeman’s character sounds very similar to the one played by William H. Macy in the Fargo feature film.
Prior to “Sherlock,” Freeman was best known for his role in the original UK version of “The Office’ in addition to his roles in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Hot Fuzz and The Hobbit trilogy as the main character, Bilbo Baggins.
Freeman is actually the second Hobbit on FX’s programming lineup. Elijah Wood stars in the comedy “Wilfred” on FX.
“Fargo” will likely debut on FX in 2014.
