Noah Hawley Discusses TV Industry Challenges and Competition at Canneseries

Noah Hawley, known for creating TV series such as “Fargo,” “Legion,” and “Alien: Earth,” addressed the state of the television industry during an appearance at Canneseries. He stated that the industry is transitioning between old and new models, and that masterpieces continue to emerge in every generation.

Hawley noted that becoming optimistic about the industry's future has been a process. Hawley highlighted the impact of technology companies on Hollywood, stating that everyone in the industry has been affected. He described the last few years as challenging and identified YouTube as the biggest competition, as it spends no money on content production.

Hawley, who began his career as a novelist and continues to write books, said that television is the fastest way to engage with culture.

mentioned being called “the franchise whisperer,” noting its value in an industry focused on franchises and existing intellectual properties, which audiences watch more reliably. He also has a reputation for original storytelling. In discussing “Legion,” based on the X-Men universe, Hawley referenced an essay by Freud titled “The Uncanny,” which deals with familiar things acting in unfamiliar ways.

He explained that “Legion” explores a character who is Professor X's son and mentally ill, unsure if his powers are real. Dan Stevens played the lead role and experienced food poisoning during filming of the pilot. Hawley joked about Stevens' dedication, noting he had to dance, vomit, and dance again.

said he does not rewatch original films before adapting them, instead focusing on remembered emotions. For “Alien,” he recalled the emotion of discovery in the creature's lifecycle, from egg to chestburster, and how the second film shifts from surprise to suspense.

A second season of “Alien: Earth” is in development. Regarding “Fargo,” which has had five seasons, Hawley described it as a battle between decency and cynicism, not good and evil. ” Hawley stated that in his country, decency is not winning and cynicism is prevailing.