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I've [really] been here throughout, because Patricia Cox is one of the producers on Rudderless and a big producer on my next film. She founded St. Nicholas and she lives in Chicago, so I've stayed in touch with Patricia. So I didn't lose that much touch with Chicago. But to answer your question, it's sweet. To come back with a show—and not just any show, a really sort of quintessential Chicago- feeling show—it feels authentic, and I'm digging it. What inspires you about the city? First of all, the food is stunning. And the look of the city— the architecture, the city on the lake—it's a stunner. Standing on Michigan Avenue up by the bridge over the river, there ain't many places on earth as pretty as that. Fine-looking people. My first night in Chicago I was gob- smacked—I just loved these women. Great style in Chicago. It's an international city, but it's as American as the day is long. You're known for choosing roles in smart, substan- tial work—what draws you to a project? Is it a good story, well told? I'm not crazy about violence because I don't like to watch it, so I don't want to be in it, even though it's kind of fun sometimes to do all that stuff. I'd take a smaller role in a better film. I guess my rule is "Do the good stuff, don't do the bad stuff." Over the years, you've played a lot of memorable characters. When people come up to you on the street, what do they remember you for? Certainly first it was Fargo—that lasted for a long time. Then I did a film called The Cooler, and for some reason that character caught people's imaginations. There was a film called Door to Door for TNT, a made-for-TV movie, that struck a note. I heard about that for years and years, and still do. And now Shameless. [I hear] "Yo, Frank, my man, how are you?" People get that excited. In 2015 you also have the film release of Stealing Cars, in which your wife, Felicity Huffman, also plays a role. What do you enjoy about working with her? She's such a stunning actress. She's a surprising actress. She's smart as a whip—a real thoroughbred, you know what I mean? Talent aside, she knows how to make mov- ies; she's been doing it a long time. I love having her on set—I get my girlfriend there with me when she agrees to do a movie. Also, to be blunt, she helps us get the movies made, because she's a movie star. You talked about enjoying Rudderless because it was a new challenge. What else is out there that you would like to tackle? I drank the Kool-Aid with this directing thing. That's all I want to do. I've got one in the works called Krystal—it's another indie—and I would love to do a big studio picture. I fell into a field of clover. I've got Shameless, which shoots half a year; it's the most fun job any boy ever had. I'm really proud to be in the show; I get to act with Emmy Rossum, and it's just a stunning cast. Couldn't be better, those two things. If there's any time left over I might raise my children. [Seriously,] my girls are really at the most interesting time—12 and 14—and it's just amazing to watch, and I really want to be around for that. So I've got a full plate. ma