Lou Solverson, whom fans will remember as lead character Molly's father in season one, is now the protagonist. It is 1979, a tumultuous period in American history. A number of cultural hinges accelerate the plot, including the Vietnam War, Ronald Reagan's presidency and the advancement of feminism.
Last year Fargo was heavily lauded for its talented cast, including Billy-Bob Thornton and Martin Freeman, and this time the ensemble is just as impressive. Alongside Dunst is Ted Danson, Patrick Wilson (Angels in America), Jesse Plemons (Breaking Bad) and Jean Smart (24) rounding out the leads.
It has been an intense few months for Dunst, but although she is worn out from the hectic schedule of television, she is not lacking in enthusiasm for the show.
Her character, Peggy Blomquist, is ambitious, wanting to leave her small-town lifestyle and the beauty salon where she works.
"This has definitely been the hardest thing I've ever done," says Dunst. "We might have a week off some of our characters because it's an ensemble, but when you do work it's all your scenes in one week and Peggy talks a lot. She does not stop. So it's like I'm cramming for an exam every night, reading over the lines before I pass out."
Dunst has used her experience as a film actor in her approach to Peggy. "I guess the way I work, it feels like I've done 10 little movies as opposed to one movie," she says. "For each thing I do, I [use] dream work and I do a lot of stuff that is emotionally pretty draining."
What is dream work? It seems like the pinnacle of taking your work home with you. The character of Peggy influences Dunst's subconscious while she dreams, leading to quite intense nightmares. Then when she's on set, Dunst conjures those feelings from her dreams and uses them in her performance.
Far from being an airy-fairy tactic, it is a method that has caused Dunst a lot of angst, though she struggles to explain it fully.
"It's writing down your dreams and using it in a way to help you with your character," she says. "I think it grounds your character more than if you just learn your lines."
Those familiar with the tone of Fargo and the subject matter explored in the show will know there is, at times, gory and dark material. Using dream work in the show has left Dunst with strange nightmares and she admits she is exhausted from her dreams.
"I had one dream where part of it was this little baby pig being boiled. I'm telling you, it's not fun. It's not fun living in Peggy's mind. After I woke up I was like, 'I've got to become a vegetarian'."
Terrifying dreams aside, Dunst's time working on Fargo has been rewarding. "I knew this role was going to be something pretty special. I feel like it's the most interesting role I've ever played."
She is also looking forward to experiencing the more prolonged nature of television, beaming into people's living rooms for 10 weeks rather than the fleeting experience audiences have when watching a film. "I think it's going to be fun. I haven't experienced it yet so we'll see. I feel like if I'm out and people are like, 'I'm watching Fargo', I'll feel like, 'Oh, wow. I did this journey and now you're on my journey'."
• Season 2 of Fargo screens on SoHo Tuesdays 8.30pm from October 13, and on Neon from October 14.
