Tim Blake Nelson to Play Title Character in “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” as Coen Brothers Assemble Cast (Exclusive)

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Tim Blake Nelson, James Franco, Zoe Kazan, Tyne Daly, Stephen Root and Ralph Ineson are nearing deals to star in the Coen brothers’ ambitious TV project THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS, the Tracking Board has exclusively learned.

Annapurna Television is backing the omnibus series, which will be comprised of six segments, each featuring different characters.

As first reported by the Albuquerque Journal, the segments are as follows:

“The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs” follows a singing cowboy. The Tracking Board has learned that Tim Blake Nelson will play the title character.

“Near Algodones” is about a high-plains drifter whose own fecklessness dogs his attempts at bank robbery and cattle driving. We hear James Franco, Stephen Root (The Ladykillers) and Ralph Ineson (The Witch) will star in this one.

“Meal Ticket” follows an actor and impresario of a traveling show.

“All Gold Canyon” is about a prospector who happily finds a gold seam but then unhappily finds an evil encroacher.

“The Gal Who Got Rattled” follows two trail bosses on the Oregon Trail and a woman on the wagon train who needs the help of one of them and who might be a marriage prospect for the other. We hear Zoe Kazan (The Big Sick) will play the titular “gal.” Her publicist did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“The Mortal Remains” follows five very different passengers on a stagecoach of mysterious destination. We hear Tyne Daly (Spider-Man: Homecoming) will star in this one.

Buster Scruggs is slated to start production later this month in New Mexico and run through the end of September. The Coens previously filmed No Country for Old Men and True Grit in New Mexico.

Tim Blake Nelson, who previously worked with the Coens on O Brother, Where Art Thou, is represented by UTA, Gateway Management Company and attorney Steve Breimer.

 Jeff Sneider | Editor in Chief