May 23, 2016 - 12:22 AMT
Ewan McGregor cast in “Fargo” hit series season 3

Ewan McGregor has been cast in the upcoming third season of FX anthology series “Fargo”, Variety has learned. The new season will begin production later this year and is set to premiere in 2017.

McGregor will play the lead in the series’ upcoming third installment, portraying brothers Emmit and Ray Stussy. Emmit is the parking-lot king of Minnesota, a handsome and successful real-estate mogul. Ray is a pot-bellied, balding parole officer who peaked in high school and blames his brother for his misfortunes.

“Fargo” has been an awards-season favorite since it premiered in 2014. The first season, starring Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, Allison Tolman and Colin Hanks, was nominated for 18 Primetime Emmy Awards and won two. It also was nominated for five Golden Globes and won two. Season two, which is eligible for the next Emmys, starred Kirsten Dunst, Ted Danson, Patrick Wilson and Bokeem Woodbine and was nominated for two Golden Globes.

McGregor is currently in production on the feature film “T2: Trainspotting 2,” set for release in February, 2017. His directorial debut, “American Pastoral,” is slated for release this fall.

“Fargo” was created by showrunner and executive producer Noah Hawley. Joel and Ethan Coen, Warren Littlefield and John Cameron also serve as executive producers. The series is produced by MGM Television and FX Productions.

Deadline first reported the news.