Double dealing

STICKING to form, the opening credits to this black comedy drama tell us this is a true story – but the word “true” slowly fades from view. And thank goodness it’s not real – even the snowy, dark landscape of Minnesota gives us the creeps. Largely because of the blood and gore that has gone on before. This third series is set in 2010 with a new story and an all-star cast. Ewan Mcgregor plays two brothers. As Emmit, the self-made property mogul and rich family man, he’s much more easy on the eye. But all hail the make-up team for his transformation into slightly younger brother Ray. Balding and pot-bellied, the parole officer has got a chip on his shoulder that he’s not living the American dream like Emmit. And, of course, he blames his brother for this. Tonight’s episode opens with a squabble between the siblings. Ray wants to buy an engagement ring for his girlfriend Nikki Swango (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) – a sexy recent parolee with a passion for competitive bridge and criminal behaviour. Emmit won’t lend him any more money, so Ray takes matters into his own hands – or rather, puts matters into the hands of a no-good thief, asking him to steal a vintage stamp from Emmit’s home. Meanwhile, Emmit is called to a meeting with the terrifying gangster VM Varga (David Thewlis), who very politely (well, he is British) tells him he will do his bidding. And elsewhere, Carrie Coon plays Gloria Burgle, a local police chief and newly divorced mum who becomes entangled as events spiral into chaos. As always with Fargo, there’s a slow pace and even slower accents, as well as the constant dread that something terrible is about to happen. And, sure enough, it does...

FARGO C4, 10pm