There’s probably no series out there with a more talented cast than Fargo. These actors, both from the film and the show, boast a decorated filmography, with several well-received gems that fans should check out. The performances here are of the same quality found in Fargo, making them a can’t-miss form of media.
Seeing as there are a whole lot of cast members from every iteration of the series, this list takes in selected actors from the film and the seasons seen so far. So, in case you want to see more of these actors, here are films and shows they star in that you need to see.
Martin Freeman: The Office (2001-2003)
A mockumentary filmed at a branch of the Wernham Hogg paper company brings about kooky renditions of mundane events around the office. Headed by an inept boss, the lives of the employees are filled with one ridiculous moment after another.
Before the US version became extremely popular, it was the original that changed the sitcom landscape. Here, Martin Freeman appeared in one of his first popular roles in Tim Canterbury, the straight man character of the series. This show has incredible dry humor that viewers will enjoy, and Freeman remains charming as ever.
Billy Bob Thornton: Sling Blade (1996)
A mentally ill man, institutionalized at the age of 12 for killing his mother, is released from his sentence as an adult. After gaining his freedom, the man befriends a young boy who’s going through similar problems in his life.
It’s a shame that Billy Bob Thornton’s Oscar-winning effort isn’t as well known today as it should be, as Sling Blade is a superb film that Thornton starred in, directed, and wrote. The film is perfectly capable of pulling off its dramatic territory, along with being a real thriller in the darker moments as things become intense near the climax.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead: BrainDead (2016)
A documentary filmmaker gets a job at the White House, only to discover that alien bugs have taken over and control people of significance. With hardly anyone noticing they’re in the midst of an invasion, the protagonist uses her skills to get the truth out.
It’s certainly not as vicious as other apocalyptic works, but the horror-comedy aspect is what makes BrainDead so unique. On top of that, the series doles out political satire by using the alien bugs as a way of illustrating how clueless politics can get. Mary Elizabeth Winstead holds firm in the lead role, and it’s worth checking out her comedic chops here.
Steve Buscemi: Miracle Workers (2019-Present)
In this anthology series, a series of events taking place either in the past or in a fantasy setting poke fun at popular beliefs. Miracle Workers serves as a comedic take on people’s perceptions on things such as history and faith.
Here, Steve Buscemi is usually placed in the role of a person of authority who absolutely stinks at his job. Season 1, in particular, has him play God of all beings, where his laziness results in him deciding to blow up the world. It’s a bizarre show, but worth checking out for the surprises it has in store.
Jesse Plemons: Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
Walter White, a terminally ill cancer patient, becomes a drug kingpin in order to secure enough money for his family after his death. As things escalate, White and his associates fall deeper into criminal activities with nowhere to go.
This series remains one of the most popular ones out there, although a surprising amount of people forget Plemons’ turn as Todd Alquist. Arriving late in the series, Alquist is a vicious man with zero empathy who represents the lowest form of criminal. It’s worth watching the entire series, though, as Breaking Bad is bolstered by an all-round incredible cast.
Colin Hanks: Dexter (2006-2013)
Dexter, a blood spatter analyst for the police, is also a serial killer with an M.O. of killing other killers. However, this practice puts him in clashes with the most dangerous individuals out there, criminals whom Dexter might not understand.
Fans of Fargo will be startled to see Colin Hanks’ portrayal of a kindly and misguided man here, who turns out to be a brutal killer in reality. It goes to show how the actor can pull off remarkable range in his roles. Of course, this takes place late in the series, so it’s better to check out the show in full to enjoy the series’ twists and turns.
Kirsten Dunst: Melancholia (2011)
A mysterious rogue planet appears in the solar system and heads for a collision with Earth. With just days left until the cataclysmic event, a number of characters suffering from depression-related issues prepare for the worst.
All of Melancholia carries a subtext over mental health, and it’s a finely layered film that also delivers thrills in the form of the extinction event to come. Kirsten Dunst, playing against type, shines in her role as a confused woman who has to confront her issues before the world ends.
Ewan McGregor: The Impossible (2012)
The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami breaks apart the Bennett family, as they are divided with the city ravaged by disaster. With things looking increasingly bleak, the family attempts to find each other and reunite.
The tsunami itself is a sequence to marvel at, but The Impossible is mainly bolstered by the heart wrenching portrayal of loss conveyed through the direction and the performances of the cast. It’s a guaranteed tearjerker, one where Ewan McGregor portrays the helpless patriarch desperately searching for his wife and children.
Carrie Coon: The Leftovers (2014-2017)
When the rapture strikes, 2-percent of the population vanishes, meaning 140 million people disappear without explanation. The resulting fallout impacts many lives, as these people seek answers over this event.
Carrie Coon is remembered by Fargo fans as the intrepid cop from Season 3, and she simultaneously starred in The Leftovers as a grieving widow. The show’s hook serves as the mystery behind the great departure, with the characters’ attempts to adjust in this new world making for great drama.
Frances McDormand: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2018)
An angered woman, who lost her daughter to murder, uses three billboards in order to shame the authorities for their inaction. This drives her further in her bid for revenge, as she begins planning to take down those she blames for her daughter’s death in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
McDormand is pretty much the opposite of how she was as the kindly Marge in Fargo, with her turn here of a woman on a mission both an inspirational tale and a flawed one. The movie raises the valid point of misplaced vigilantism, and the impact of the lack of justice people feel they’ve been handed.
