The Coen brothers are heading to television with a Western anthology series, 'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs'

Image from Indiewire

By Darian Scalamoni

            With tons of big-time directors entering the world of television, many were wondering if or when we’d see the Coen brothers bringing an idea into our TV screens and now it seems this is becoming a reality. According to Collider, Joel and Ethan Coen are writing and directing a Western anthology series titled, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. I know what you’re thinking and the answer is, no, the Coen brothers don’t have any creative involvement on the FX drama Fargo that is based on their original film of the same name but this new series will have them headlining the creative process.

             Interestingly enough, the report says that the plan is to pursue “an innovative television and theatrical integrated approach” which makes it seem as if some of the series will be screen theatrically as well. Currently, the show isn’t set up at a network but it probably won’t be long before a network does pick it up. I’d love to see a series from the directorial duo on a network like FX or AMC preferably. Unfortunately, there are no plot details for the show yet but the legendary filmmakers are taking an approach that has become similar in recent years: mainstream movie directors heading to television. The brothers will join other directors that have done it as of late such as David Fincher, Steven Soderbergh and even Woody Allen.

            Personally, I was incredibly disappointed with the directors’ last film, Hail, Caesar! but other films such as The Big Lebowski and Inside Llewyn Davis are favorites of mine. Also, this isn’t the first time that Joel and Ethan Coen are diving into the Western genre since they previously directed True Grit and No Country for Old Men.