Marguerite Phillips Q&A: ‘Fargo’ and ‘Legion’ music supervisor

“We approached it just like Season 2, telling the story through the characters,” reveals “Fargo” music supervisor Marguerite Phillips during our recent webcam chat (watch the exclusive video above). “With all new characters, you’re going to have new music, and I think that’s clearly evident in our song choice.” The latest installment of FX’s limited series about crime in the Midwest centers on a pair of twins (Ewan McGregor) whose feud over a valuable stamp turns deadly.

Phillips joined the series in its second season, and working with creator Noah Hawley “was different than any other showrunner/director I’ve ever worked with.” She credits him with having, “taught me to listen to music in an entirely different way.”

This year also found Phillips working with Hawley on FX’s “Legion,” a psychedelic take on the Marvel universe centering on a disturbed young man (Dan Stevens) with special powers. “It’s a much more surreal, tricky piece of storytelling,” she divulges. “Music was used in a different way. I think we used music less of a character development way and more of a moment for the audience to sit back, reflect, process what’s going on.”

Phillips has lent her musical ear to multiple shows and films, including this year’s Best Picture victor “Moonlight.” Could she compete for her first Emmy in the newly created Best Music Supervision category? Check out our full interview above for more about her work on “Fargo” and “Legion.”