We've sort of been on the fence about the idea of bringing Thomas Harris' "Hannibal" to the small screen (particularly on network TV), but so far the production has been making all the right moves. Intriguingly, instead of jumping to right to the cannibal we know from "Silence Of The Lambs," the show will follow Hannibal Lecter – prior to his incarceration and working as a practicing psychiatrist – solving crimes alongside Will Graham (played by Hugh Dancy), Lecter’s FBI partner. And now they've landed one helluva actor for the title role.
Recent Cannes best actor winner for "The Hunt" and newly cast "Thor 2" villain Mads Mikkelsen will play Hannibal Lecter. Fucking awesome. American audiences still probably know him best as the baddie in "Casino Royale," but more savvy cinephiles are already aware of his talent from his collaborations with Nicolas Winding Refn, and films like "Open Hearts," "After The Wedding," and "Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky." This is a great bit of casting that adds more tremendous promise to the upcoming season.
David Slade is directing the pilot episode for the show, which has already been booked for a 13 episode first season run. No word yet on when it will air, but this is one we're definitely going to be tuning in for. [Deadline]