Fargo is an American dark comedy-crime drama television series created and written by Noah Hawley. The show is inspired by, and set in the same world as, the 1996 film of the same name written and directed by the Coen brothers, who serve as executive producers on the series. It premiered on April 15, 2014, on FX.[1] The series stars Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, Colin Hanks, and Allison Tolman.