Martin Freeman in C4's new US crime drama Fargo

Sherlock star Martin Freeman is starring in Fargo, a new 10-part television series inspired by the classic film, and the drama will be shown Channel 4 this spring.

Set in Minnesota, northern USA, Martin plays small town insurance salesman Lester Nygaard, whose life is changed when he meets rootless, manipulative Lorne Malvo, played by Oscar-winner Billy Bob Thornton.

Other stars featured in the crime drama include Colin Hanks (son of Tom), Bib Odenkirk (Breaking Bad), Allison Tolman (Sordid Lives) and Oliver Platt (Frost/Nixon, The Big C).

Channel 4's Chief Creative Officer Jay Hunt says: "Fargo is a perfect Channel 4 show - a dark comedy, beautifully directed with a stunning cast. We are excited to be bringing it to a British audience."

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I'm a huge fan of TV so I've found the perfect job, writing about telly shows and interviewing major television, film and sports stars for over 30 years. I'm currently the TV Content Director on What's On TV, TV Times, TV and Satellite Week magazines plus contribute to Whattowatch.com. I previously worked on Woman and Woman's Own in the 1990s. Outside of work I swim every morning, support Charlton Athletic football club and get nostalgic about TV shows Cagney & Lacey, I Claudius, Dallas, Tenko and I'm quite partial to a bit of Little House on The Prairie. I'm totally on top of everything good coming up too, and love newer shows such as The Day Of The Jackal, This is Us, Hacks and anything Dexter.