An original Fargo's cast has included big stars like Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, Ewan McGregor, Chris Rock, Jon Hamm, and many more.

During a recent interview with Vanity Fair, original Fargo star Allison Tolman, who played Deputy Molly Solverson, reflected on her time on the show and how she struggled with the idea of it continuing without her, comparing the feeling to "standing at the station and watching a train leave that you wanted to be on... That was hard. It was really sad," she says. In turn, she pitched that the show adopt an American Horror Story–esque format in which cast return to future seasons of Fargo in fresh roles, "but no one said anything" in response.

What Allison Tolman's Pitch Meant For FX's Fargo

Her Pitch Didn't Go Completely Unheard

Though she seemingly never heard back, Allison Tolman's pitch didn't go completely unheard. Though Fargo never adopted an American Horror Story–esque format in which cast return for future seasons in fresh roles, Allison Tolman's Molly Solverson did return in Fargo season 2 for a brief cameo. The second season, which is set decades before the first, follows Molly's father, State Trooper Lou Solverson (Patrick Wilson), and Tolman reprises her role in a dream sequence by her mother, Betsy Solverson (Cristin Milioti).

Other than Allison Tolman, there are a few other Fargo stars who have reprised their roles in future seasons. Season 1 stars Colin Hanks, Joey King, and Keith Carradine also reprised their roles for the same dream sequence that Tolman appeared in. Additionally, Russell Harvard's deaf hitman, Mr. Wrench, first appeared in season 1 and returned for Fargo season 3. Some characters also appear across multiple seasons, including season 4's Satchel Cannon (Rodney L. Jones III), who grows up to become Mike Milligan (Bokeem Woodbine) in season 2.

Our Take On Allison Tolman's Fargo Pitch

Why It Wouldn't Work

While Allison Tolman's pitch may have been creatively bold, it clashes with the core identity of Fargo. American Horror Story thrives on surrealism and theatricality, making recurring actors in different roles feel more natural. However, Fargo leans more into grounded and character-driven storytelling rooted in realism and moral consequences. Reusing actors in different roles could break the immersion and undermine Fargo's anthology structure, which hinges on the idea that each season unfolds in the same believable and interconnected universe.

Source: Vanity Fair