Stevens as Haller
Based on the pilot, FX has placed an eight-episode first season order for the X-Men-based series Legion, from FX Productions and Marvel Television, FX announced.  The pilot order was placed in October, with Fargo showrunner Noah Hawley attached (see "Two 'X-Men' TV Series in the Works").

FX Networks President of Original Programming Nick Grad spoke highly of Hawley’s work on the pilot.  "Just as he did in reimagining Fargo, he is bringing an entirely new aesthetic and sensibility to the enormously popular and richly represented X-Men world," Gard told to Variety.  "The pilot episode is stunning, driven by incredible performances."

The show stars Dan Stevens as Professor Xavier’s schizophrenic mutant son David Haller, played by Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey).  Other previously announced cast members (see "Mid-February Geek TV Round-Up") include Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation), and Jean Smart (Fargo).  Additional cast members have now been revealed:  fellow Fargo cast member Rachel Keller, plus Jeremie Harris, Amber Midthunder, Katie Aselton and Bill Irwin.

Production will begin in Vancouver this summer, and the show will premiere on FX in early 2017.