Fargo season 5: recaps, how to watch and everything we know about the anthology series

Jon Hamm in Fargo
Jon Hamm in Fargo (Image credit: Michelle Faye/FX)

Inspired by the Coen Brothers' Oscar-winning movie, Noah Hawley has created an award-winning Fargo TV series of his very own, which returned with Fargo season 5, as part of the fall TV 2023 lineup. 

The Fargo TV series is not a continuation of the movie, but rather an anthology series that takes the spirit of the original movie's darkly comedic tone and introduces a new story and characters each season. Arriving three years after the last iteration of the series, who joined the Fargo season 5 cast and what is the new season about?

Read on to find out everything you need to know about Fargo season 5.

How to watch Fargo season 5

All episodes of Fargo season 5 have aired and are now available to watch on-demand in the US on Hulu and on Prime Video in the UK. Of course, subscription to these services are going to be required to stream the show.

Fargo season 5 plot 

Each Fargo season is its own standalone story, though there are often some connections that can be found between the different seasons. We'll wait to see what those might be this time, but before that, here is the official synopsis for Fargo season 5:

"Set in Minnesota and North Dakota, 2019. After an unexpected series of events lands Dorothy 'Dot' Lyon in hot water with the authorities, this seemingly typical Midwestern housewife is suddenly plunged back into a life she thought she had left behind.  

"North Dakota Sheriff Roy Tillman has been searching for Dot for a long time.  A rancher, preacher and a constitutional lawman, Roy believes that he is the law and therefore is above the law. At his side is his loyal but feckless son, Gator, who is desperate to prove himself to his larger-than-life father. Too bad he's hopeless. So, when it comes to hunting Dot, Roy enlists Ole Munch, a shadowy drifter of mysterious origin. 

"With her deepest secrets beginning to unravel, Dot attempts to shield her family from her past, but her doting, well-meaning husband Wayne keeps running to his mother, Lorraine Lyon, for help. CEO of the largest Debt Collection Agency in the country, the Queen of Debt is unimpressed with her son's choice in a wife and spares no opportunity to voice her disapproval. However, when Dot's unusual behavior catches the attention of Minnesota Police Deputy Indira Olmstead and North Dakota Deputy Witt Farr, Lorraine appoints her in-house counsel and primary advisor, Danish Graves to aid her daughter-in-law. After all, family is family. But Dot has an uncanny knack for survival. And with her back to the wall, she's about to show why one should never provoke a mother Lyon."

Fargo season 5 recaps

Here are the official synopses for the Fargo season 5 episodes that have aired, as well as a link to our in-depth recaps.

Fargo season 5 episode 1, "The Tragedy of the Commons"
"A series of unexpected events lands Dot in hot water and she is plunged back into a life she thought she left behind." Read WTW's Fargo season 5 episode 1 recap.

Fargo season 5 episode 2, "Trials and Tribulations"
"Roy attempts to reset the 'natural order of things' and Lorraine becomes increasingly suspicious." Read WTW's Fargo season 5 episode 2 recap.

Fargo season 5 episode 3, "The Paradox of Intermediate Transactions"
"Dot and Wayne protect their home, Roy neutralizes an obstacle, Witt suspects foul play and Gator makes a move." Read WTW's Fargo season 5 episode 3 recap.

Fargo season 5 episode 4, "Insolubilia"
"Munch makes a bold move, Indira and Witt have questions, Wayne takes a fall and Gator disappoints." Read WTW's Fargo season 5 episode 4 recap.

Fargo season 5 episode 5, "The Tiger"
"Dot creates diversions, Roy meets his match and Indira helps a new friend." Read WTW's Fargo season 5 episode 5 recap.

Fargo season 5 episode 6, "The Tender Trap"
"Lorraine calls things off, Gator asks questions, Wayne makes a surprising discovery and Indira offers a new perspective." Read WTW's Fargo season 5 episode 6 recap.

Fargo season 5 episode 7, "Linda"
"Dot takes a fantastic journey." Read WTW's Fargo season 5 episode 7 recap.

Fargo season 5 episode 8, "Blanket"
"Roy's political campaign rolls on. Indira chooses to stand up, At the same time, Witt strives to provide assistance." Read WTW's Fargo season 5 episode 8 recap.

Fargo season 5 episode 9, "The Useless Hand"
"The tide turns." Read WTW's Fargo season 5 episode 9 recap.

Fargo season 5 episode 10, "Bisquik"
"Lorraine makes a visit and Dot prepares biscuits." Read WTW's Fargo season 5 episode 10 recap.

Fargo season 5 cast

Fargo has consistently gotten big names to star in each and every season, and Fargo season 5 is no different, with the likes of Juno Temple (Ted Lasso), Jon Hamm (Good Omens), Joe Keery (Stranger Things), Jennifer Jason Leigh (Hunters season 2) and more headlining the cast. 

Check out the complete list of the Fargo season 5 main cast and who they are playing:

  • Juno Temple as Dorothy 'Dot' Lyon
  • Jon Hamm as Roy Tillman
  • Joe Keery as Gator
  • Sam Spruell (The Gold) as Ole Munch
  • David Rysdahl (Black Mirror: Mazey Day) as Wayne Lyon
  • Jennifer Jason Leigh as Lorraine Lyon
  • Richa Moorjani (Never Have I Ever) as Indira Olmstead
  • Lamorne Morris (New Girl) as Witt Farr
  • Dave Foley (A Bug's Life) as Danish Graves

Find out more about this season's stars and who they're playing with our Fargo season 5 cast feature.

Fargo season 5 trailer

The Fargo season 5 trailer is here, and it looks like another wild and darkly funny season of the crime drama. Watch the trailer directly below:

You can also watch a couple of character introductions for Juno Temple's Dot Lyon and Jon Hamm's Roy Tillman right here:

Michael Balderston

Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca, Moulin Rouge!, Silence of the Lambs, Children of Men, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars. On the TV side he enjoys Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone, The Boys, Game of Thrones and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. Follow on Letterboxd.