Noah Hawley

American screenwriter and producer

Noah Hawley

Hawley in March 2019

Born| 1967 (age 57–58)

New York City, U.S.

Alma mater| Sarah Lawrence College
Occupations|

* Screenwriter
* director
* producer
* author
* singer

Years active| 2005–present
Spouse| Kyle Hawley
Children| 2
Relatives| Louise Armstrong (mother)

Noah Hawley (born 1967) is an American screenwriter, director, producer, author, and singer. He is best known for creating and writing the FX series Fargo (2014–2024) and Legion (2017–2019). He also worked on the series Bones (2005–2008), The Unusuals (2009), and My Generation (2010).

Hawley wrote the film The Alibi (2006) and wrote and directed the film Lucy in the Sky (2019). He has also written six novels and is a singer, having contributed to the soundtracks of Fargo and Legion by singing covers of popular music produced by composer Jeff Russo, a frequent collaborator on Hawley's projects. He is the writer and director of the upcoming FX series Alien: Earth, which is based on the film franchise and is set to premiere on August 12, 2025.

## Early life, family and education

[edit]

Hawley was born in New York City in 1967,[1][2] the son of non-fiction writer and feminist activist Louise Armstrong (1937–2008)[3] and businessman Tom Hawley.[3] His maternal grandmother was a playwright. He has a twin brother, Alexi, who is also a television writer whose most prominent works include the series State of Affairs, The Rookie, and The Recruit.[2][3]

In 1989, Hawley graduated from Sarah Lawrence College with a degree in political science.[4][5]

## Career

[edit]

Hawley worked as a paralegal[2] and in computer programming at law firms.[5] He worked for The Legal Aid Society in New York City, dealing with cases involving child abuse and neglect, a topic on which his mother had written ground-breaking books.[5][4] He later moved to San Francisco, California.

### Books

[edit]

Hawley has published six novels: A Conspiracy of Tall Men (1998), Other People's Weddings (2004), The Punch (2008), The Good Father (2012), Before the Fall (2016), and Anthem (2022). He also published the non-fiction work Fargo: This Is a True Story (2019).[6]

### Television

[edit]

Hawley in June 2014

Hawley was a writer and producer on the first three seasons of Bones (2005–2008).[7] He was also a creator and an executive producer of The Unusuals (2009) and My Generation (2010).[8]

Hawley is the creator, primary writer, and executive producer of the FX anthology series Fargo (2014–present), based on the Coen brothers' 1996 film of the same name.[9] In 2014, Fargo won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries, along with 17 additional nominations at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards. In total, the series has been nominated for 113 awards since its premiere, winning 32.

In December 2015, Hawley extended his production deal with FX.[10] He wrote and served as executive producer for Legion (2017–2019), a series based on the Marvel comic book character.[11]

Hawley is the creator of Alien: Earth, a TV series based on the film franchise, which he will be a writer, director, and producer.[12] It is set to premiere on FX on August 12, 2025.[13]

### Film

[edit]

Hawley wrote the original screenplay for the film The Alibi (2006).[14]

In September 2014, Hawley signed a deal with Universal Pictures to script an untitled project for their then-upcoming Dark Universe.[15] Sony Pictures has acquired the rights to Hawley's novel, Before the Fall, with him writing the screenplay.[15] In 2016, his 26 Keys production company signed a deal with 20th Century Fox to do films.[16]

On July 20, 2017, Hawley announced at Comic Con that he was writing and directing a Doctor Doom movie with 20th Century Fox.[17] However, the project was shelved following Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox.[18][19]

In 2019, he made his feature film directorial debut with Lucy in the Sky, a drama film starring Natalie Portman as an astronaut, for Fox Searchlight.[20]

In November 2019, it was announced that Hawley would be writing and directing the fourth installment in the rebooted Star Trek franchise.[21] He finished the script in September 2020. It would feature a new crew, although set in the same universe.[22] In late November 2020, the project was cancelled.[23]

## Personal life

[edit]

Hawley and his wife, Kyle, have two children together.[2] They split their time between Los Angeles, California, and Austin, Texas.[2]

## Filmography

[edit]

### Film

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Director  | Writer  | Producer

|
|
|
|

2006  | The Alibi | No  | Yes  | No
2019  | Lucy in the Sky | Yes  | Yes  | Yes

### Television

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Director  | Writer  | Executive
Producer  | Creator  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|

2005–2008  | Bones | No  | Yes  | Yes  | No  | Writer (6 episodes)
Also co-producer (14 episodes)
2009  | The Unusuals | No  | Yes  | Yes  | Yes  | 3 episodes
Also composer
2010  | My Generation | No  | Yes  | Yes  | Developer  | 2 episodes
2014–2024  | Fargo | Yes  | Yes  | Yes  | Yes  | Director (6 episodes)
Writer (48 episodes)
2017–2019  | Legion | Yes  | Yes  | Yes  | Yes  | Director (3 episodes)
Writer (19 episodes)
2025  | Alien: Earth | Yes  | Yes  | Yes  | Yes  |

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

Organizations  | Year  | Category  | Work  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

Primetime Emmy Awards | 2014 | Outstanding Limited Series | Fargo (season one)  | Won  | [24]
Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series or Movie | Fargo (episode: "The Crocodile's Dilemma")  | Nominated
2016 | Outstanding Limited Series | Fargo (season two)  | Nominated  | [25]
Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Movie | Fargo (episode: "Before the Law")  | Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series or Movie | Fargo (episode: "Palindrome")  | Nominated
2017 | Outstanding Limited Series  | Fargo (season three)  | Nominated  | [26]
Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Movie  | Fargo (episode: "The Law of Vacant Places")  | Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series or Movie  | Fargo (episode: "The Law of Vacant Places")  | Nominated
2024 | Outstanding Limited Series  | Fargo (season five)  | Nominated  | [27]
Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Movie  | Fargo (episode: "The Tragedy of the Commons")  | Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series or Movie  | Fargo (episode: "The Tragedy of the Commons")  | Nominated
Producers Guild of America Awards | 2014 | Best Long-Form Television | Fargo (season one)  | Won  | [28]
2015 | Fargo (season two)  | Won  | [29]
2017 | Fargo (season four)  | Nominated  | [30]
2023 | Best Limited Series Television | Fargo (season five)  | Nominated  | [31]
Writers Guild of America Awards | 2015 | Long Form – Adaptation | Fargo (season one)  | Won  | [32]
2017 | Long Form - Adaptation  | Fargo (season four)  | Nominated  | [33]
2023 | Limited Series | Fargo (season five)  | Nominated  | [34]

## Published works

[edit]

* Hawley, Noah (1998). A Conspiracy of Tall Men. Harmony. ISBN 9780609602805.
* Hawley, Noah (2004). Other People's Weddings. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 9780312322731.
* Hawley, Noah (2008). The Punch. Chronicle Books. ISBN 9780811864299.
* Hawley, Noah (2012). The Good Father. Doubleday. ISBN 9780385535533.
* Hawley, Noah (2016). Before the Fall. Grand Central. ISBN 9781455561780.
* Hawley, Noah (2022). Anthem. Grand Central Publishing. ISBN 9781538711514.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Stanford, Peter (March 28, 2012). "Noah Hawley: 'It's the parents who create killers'". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
2. ^ a b c d e Rose, Lacey (April 15, 2014). "'Fargo' Creator Noah Hawley: How I Made It in Hollywood". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
3. ^ a b c Bindel, Julie (September 23, 2008). "Louise Armstrong". The Guardian. Archived from the original on December 11, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
4. ^ a b "News and Announcements from Alums". alum.slc.edu. Sarah Lawrence College. Archived from the original on January 17, 2011. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
5. ^ a b c Ganahl, Jane (August 31, 1998). "Success stalks thriller writer". The San Francisco Examiner. Archived from the original on December 11, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2014 – via SFgate.com.
6. ^ "Noah Hawley". fantasticfiction.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
7. ^ Elks, Jennifer. "The Rise and Rise of Noah Hawley". The Skinny. Retrieved July 18, 2025 – via tumblr.com.
8. ^ "Development Update: Wednesday, January 20". The Futon Critic. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
9. ^ Thorne, Will (August 10, 2020). "'Fargo' Season 4 Premiere Date Set at FX". Variety. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
10. ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (December 10, 2015). "FX Inks New Deal with 'Fargo' Creator Noah Hawley, Sets New Development Projects". Variety. Archived from the original on June 28, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
11. ^ Rice, Lynette (October 15, 2014). "'Fargo' creator developing 'Legion' series with Marvel and FX". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
12. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 10, 2020). "'Alien' Series In The Works At FX With 'Fargo' Creator Noah Hawley; Ridley Scott In Advance Talks To EP". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
13. ^ Zalben, Alex (August 13, 2021). "Noah Hawley's 'Alien' TV Series Won't Premiere Until 2023, Earliest". Decider.com. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
14. ^ "Lies and Alibis". ComingSoon.net. Archived from the original on March 27, 2012. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
15. ^ a b Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 18, 2014). "'Fargo's Noah Hawley To Adapt His Novel 'Before The Fall' In Sony Pic Deal". Deadline. Archived from the original on May 4, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
16. ^ McNary, Dave (April 25, 2016). "Noah Hawley Signs First-Look Deal With Fox". Variety. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
17. ^ Leadbeater, Alex (July 20, 2017). "Doctor Doom Movie In Development From Legion's Noah Hawley". Screen Rant. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
18. ^ Riesman, Abraham (June 4, 2018). "Noah Hawley's Doctor Doom Movie Is Written, But Don't Expect to See It Anytime Soon". Vulture. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
19. ^ Patten, Dominic (August 12, 2019). "'Legion's Noah Hawley Talks Tonight's Series Finale, 'Fargo', 'Doctor Doom' Movie & 'Cat's Cradle' Adaptation". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
20. ^ Kroll, Justin (January 11, 2018). "Natalie Portman in Talks to Replace Reese Witherspoon in 'Pale Blue Dot' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on January 25, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
21. ^ Kroll, Justin (November 19, 2019). "Noah Hawley to Write and Direct Next 'Star Trek' Movie". Variety. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
22. ^ TrekMovieStaff (September 15, 2020). "Noah Hawley Confirms Star Trek Film Would Feature New Crew, Project in 'Statis'". TrekMovie. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
23. ^ Fuge, Jon (December 1, 2020). "Star Trek Is Not In Director Noah Hawley's Immediate Future". MovieWeb. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
24. ^ "66th Primetime Emmy Awards". Primetime Emmy Awards. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
25. ^ "68th Primetime Emmy Awards". Primetime Emmy Awards. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
26. ^ "69th Primetime Emmy Awards". Primetime Emmy Awards. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
27. ^ "76th Primetime Emmy Awards". Primetime Emmy Awards. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
28. ^ "26th PGA Awards". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
29. ^ "27th PGA Awards". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
30. ^ "29th PGA Awards". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
31. ^ "35th PGA Awards". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
32. ^ McNary, Dave. "WGA Honors 'Big Short,' 'Spotlight,' 'Mad Men' at 68th Awards". Variety. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
33. ^ "WGA Awards: The Complete Winners List". Variety. February 11, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
34. ^ Lewis, Hilary. "WGA Awards: 'Air,' 'Barbie,' 'Oppenheimer,' 'May December' Among Film Screenplay Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 9, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Media related to Noah Hawley at Wikimedia Commons
* Noah Hawley at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Noah Hawley

Feature films|

* Lucy in the Sky (2019)

Television|

* The Unusuals (2009)
* My Generation (2010)
* Fargo (2014–present)
* Legion (2017–2019)
* Alien: Earth (2025)

Awards for Noah Hawley

* v
* t
* e

Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel

* Charlotte Jay (1954)
* Raymond Chandler (1955)
* Margaret Millar (1956)
* Charlotte Armstrong (1957)
* Ed Lacy (1958)
* Stanley Ellin (1959)
* Celia Fremlin (1960)
* Julian Symons (1961)
* J.J. Marric (1962)
* Ellis Peters (1963)
* Eric Ambler (1964)
* John le Carré (1965)
* Adam Hall (1966)
* Nicolas Freeling (1967)
* Donald E. Westlake (1968)
* Jeffrey Hudson (1969)
* Dick Francis (1970)
* Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö (1971)
* Frederick Forsyth (1972)
* Warren Kiefer (1973)
* Tony Hillerman (1974)
* Jon Cleary (1975)
* Brian Garfield (1976)
* Robert B. Parker (1977)
* William H. Hallahan (1978)
* Ken Follett (1979)
* Arthur Maling (1980)
* Dick Francis (1981)
* William Bayer (1982)
* Rick Boyer (1983)
* Elmore Leonard (1984)
* Ross Thomas (1985)
* L. R. Wright (1986)
* Barbara Vine (1987)
* Aaron Elkins (1988)
* Stuart M. Kaminsky (1989)
* James Lee Burke (1990)
* Julie Smith (1991)
* Lawrence Block (1992)
* Margaret Maron (1993)
* Minette Walters (1994)
* Mary Willis Walker (1995)
* Dick Francis (1996)
* Thomas H. Cook (1997)
* James Lee Burke (1998)
* Robert Clark (1999)
* Jan Burke (2000)
* Joe R. Lansdale (2001)
* T. Jefferson Parker (2002)
* S. J. Rozan (2003)
* Ian Rankin (2004)
* T. Jefferson Parker (2005)
* Jess Walter (2006)
* Jason Goodwin (2007)
* John Hart (2008)
* C. J. Box (2009)
* John Hart (2010)
* Steve Hamilton (2011)
* Mo Hayder (2012)
* Dennis Lehane (2013)
* William Kent Krueger (2014)
* Stephen King (2015)
* Lori Roy (2016)
* Noah Hawley (2017)
* Attica Locke (2018)
* Walter Mosley (2019)
* Elly Griffiths (2020)
* Deepa Anappara (2021)
* James Kestrel (2022)
* Danya Kukafka (2023)

* v
* t
* e

Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Long Form – Adapted

* Chris Gerolmo (1996)
* William Blinn (1997)
* Anne Meredith (1998)
* James Henerson (1999)
* David Black (2000)
* John Logan / Thomas Rickman (2001)
* Kirk Ellis (2002)
* Bruce C. McKenna (2003)
* Anne Meredith (2004)
* Tony Kushner (2005)
* Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (2006)
* No Award (2007)
* Ken Nolan (2008)
* Kirk Ellis (2009)
* Michael Strobl and Ross Katz (2010)
* Robert Schenkkan and Michelle Ashford (2011)
* Peter Gould (2012)
* Danny Strong (2013)
* Shawn Slovo (2014)
* Jane Anderson (2015)
* Steve Blackman, Bob DeLaurentis, Noah Hawley, Ben Nedivi and Matt Wolpert (2016)
* Scott Alexander, Joe Robert Cole, D.V. DeVincentis, Maya Forbes, Larry Karaszewski and Wally Wolodarsky (2017)
* David E. Kelley (2018)
* Maggie Cohn and Tom Rob Smith (2019)
* Debora Cahn, Joel Fields, Ike Holter, Thomas Kail, Steven Levenson, Charlotte Stoudt and Tracey Scott Wilson (2020)
* Scott Frank and Allan Scott (2021)
* Rebecca Brunstetter, Marcus Gardley, Michelle Denise Jackson, Colin McKenna and Molly Smith Metzler (2022)

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