FX has announced that they’ve renewed their Fargo TV series for a second season of 10 episodes. Noah Hawley will return as writer and executive producer but the new season will feature an entirely new cast, new characters, a different time period, and will focus on another “true crime” story. The sophomore season may still be filmed in Calgary.

While Fargo could have used some of the same actors, ala American Horror Story, FX Networks CEO John Landgraf says, “Fargo demands a different level of realism, and we felt we couldn’t introduce these actors as new characters.”

The first season of Fargo averaged 1.9 million viewers each week and a 0.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic. It also earned 18 Emmy nominations, the most for any show in the cable channel’s history.

Update: Here’s the press release which offers some additional details:

AW, GEEZ, FX IS GOING BACK TO “FARGO”

Noah Hawley Returns with New Limited-Series From MGM Television and FX Productions

LOS ANGELES, July 21, 2014 – Get your snow gear ready, FX is headed back to Fargo! Executive Producer and Writer Noah Hawley is moving forward with a second installment of the multiple Emmy(R)-nominated miniseries from MGM Television and FX Productions, it was announced today by John Landgraf, CEO of FX Networks & FX Productions.

The new chapter of the Fargo story will feature an all-new cast of characters, a new time period and a new “true crime” story that will unfold over the course of 10 episodes.

“We could not be more proud of Fargo,” said Landgraf. “Noah’s audacious, bordering on hubristic riff on my favorite Coen brothers film earned 18 Emmy nominations – the most for a single program in our history. Fargo was nothing short of breathtaking and we look forward to the next installment.”

An original adaptation of the Academy Award(R)-winning feature film, FX’s Fargo has been nominated for 18 Emmys, including Outstanding Miniseries, Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries or Movie for Executive Producer Noah Hawley, Outstanding Lead Actor nominations for Billy Bob Thornton and Martin Freeman, Outstanding Supporting Actor for Colin Hanks, Outstanding Supporting Actress for newcomer Allison Tolman, and two Outstanding Directing noms, one for Adam Bernstein and one for Colin Bucksey.

The first installment of Fargo features an all-new “true crime” story and follows a new case and new characters, all entrenched in the trademark humor, murder and “Minnesota nice” that made the film an enduring classic. Oscar(R) winner Billy Bob Thornton stars as “Lorne Malvo,” a rootless, manipulative man who meets and forever changes the life of small town insurance salesman “Lester Nygaard,” played by BAFTA Award(R) winner and Emmy(R)-nominated Martin Freeman. Colin Hanks plays Duluth Police Deputy “Gus Grimly,” a single dad who must choose between his own personal safety and his duty as a policeman when he comes face-to-face with a killer. Allison Tolman also stars as “Molly Solverson,” an ambitious Bemidji deputy. Fargo is written by Noah Hawley. Hawley, Warren Littlefield, Joel & Ethan Coen and Geyer Kosinski serve as executive producers.

Fargo is produced by MGM Television and FX Productions.

About FX

FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable channel of FX Networks, a business unit of Fox Networks Group. FX Networks is comprised of FX, FXM and FXX, its newest channel, which debuted on September 2, 2013. Launched in June of 1994, FX is carried in more than 97 million homes. The diverse schedule features a growing roster of critically-acclaimed and award-winning hit dramas series, including Sons of Anarchy, Justified, The Americans, The Bridge, Tyrant and The Strain; the miniseries American Horror Story; the critically-acclaimed limited series Fargo; the acclaimed hit comedy series Louie and Archer; and scripted comedies Married and You’re The Worst both launching July 17, 2014, and recently ordered The Comedians and Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll. The network’s library of acquired box-office hit movies is unmatched by any ad-supported television network. FX’s roster of acquired hit series includes Two and a Half Men, Anger Management and, coming in 2014, Mike & Molly.

About FX Productions

FX Productions (FXP) produces the critically acclaimed hit comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Louie, Archer and Wilfred; the upcoming comedies Married, You’re the Worst and The Untitled Tracy Morgan Project; and the upcoming drama series The Strain. FXP co-produces the award-winning hit dramas Sons of Anarchy, Justified, The Americans, The Bridge and Tyrant; and the critically acclaimed limited series Fargo.

What do you think? Do you think Fargo should have been renewed for a second season? Will you be watching?