(from left) Hugh Dancy, Caroline Dhavernas, Laurence Fishburne, Aaron Abrams, Lara Jean Chorostecki, Hettienne Park, Scott Thompson and Mads Mikkelsen
"Hannibal" Star Hugh Dancy as Special Agent Will Graham
A former homicide detective turned teacher, Will Graham is pulled into the dark world of criminal profiling by Jack Crawford to help catch some of the most demented serial killers known to man. Socially awkward, but a brilliantly gifted, Graham navigates his way through the dark amalgam of haunting cases—guided by his FBI-appointed psychologist, Hannibal Lecter. Graham is constantly on guard against being consumed by the darkness he confronts on each case.
"Hannibal" Star Mads Mikkelsen as Dr. Hannibal Lecter
An accomplished psychologist, and sociopathic serial killer, at the height of his career. Dr. Lecter is assigned to be Will Graham’s psychiatrist, helping navigate the increasingly disturbing cases Graham encounters, while gaining unprecedented access to the FBI for himself. Excepting his homicidal tendencies, Dr. Lecter is every bit the gentleman, with his impeccable wit, astonishing intellect, gourmet pallet and eye for the more refined aspects of life.
"Hannibal" Star Laurence Fishburne as Agent Jack Crawford
Head of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, Jack Crawford is laser-focused on his mission to apprehend the most vicious serial killers known to man. His unstoppable drive and dogged determination sometimes cause him to lose sight of the wellbeing of his team, particularly his most valuable weapon, Will Graham, who Crawford keeps on a tight leash. It also constantly threatens the delicate balance he strikes between his professional and personal life.
Caroline Dhavernas as Dr. Alana Bloom
Dr. Alana Bloom is a psychology professor, FBI consultant, and colleague to Will Graham, who is able to keep her work at a strict intellectual distance from her private life. She recognizes Will’s spectacular gift of empathizing with the murderers he hunts, but worries about Jack putting Will in harm’s way. A former student of Hannibal Lecter’s, Alana sometimes clashes with him over his unconventional treatments.
Hettienne Park as Beverly Katz
A member of the Behavioral Science Unit, specializing in fibers. Beverly has a keen sensibility when it comes to piecing together fragments of evidence. And she never handles Will with kid gloves, a trait appreciated by Will.
Aaron Abrams as Brian Zeller
A member of the Behavioral Science Unit, Zeller uses his medical degree to determine causes of death in victims. His arrogance and competitive nature sometimes place him at odds with Will.
Scott Thompson as Jimmy Price
Price is a master of forensics and technology within the Behavioral Science Unit. He makes the most of his years of experience, and knows the importance of levity and wit in maintaining one’s sanity on the job.
Lara Jean Chorostecki as Freddie Lounds
Trashy tabloid blogger and aspiring journalist Freddie Lounds is as driven, ambitious and cunning as she is unscrupulous, stopping at nothing to get her story. Lounds sees Will Graham and the FBI as targets, using them as fodder for her next sensational exposé.
I still don't get why NBC programmed this on the deader than dead night which is NBC Thursdays?
This would have been better suited for Tuesday out of The Voice or even at 10 on Tuesdays. Smash is dead. Send that to Thursdays., WHAT ARE YOU DOING NBC DO YOU WANT THIS TO SUCCEED OR NOT
The Pilot was fantastic. Truly extraordinary television at its finest right here. Ratings are looking to be ok, considering the circumstances. I hope word of mouth helps this show to survive and with a little luck we might even get a second season from this brilliant show.
Best new show of the season, hands down. It would be a crime not to renew it. I have never seen such stunning visuals on a TV show. Simply everything is flawless about it, even the procedural elements of the show are enjoyable.
You know what goes best with a dinner of liver, fava beans a nice Chianti? A dreamy piemaker, of course!
Hannibal and Pushing Daisies boss Bryan Fuller just told E! News exclusively that he's planning to cast Daisies star Lee Pace—as well as (fingers crossed) Kristin Chenoweth and maybe even Anna Friel—in the second season of his insanely riveting new horror drama on NBC. And, even better, and you Daisies fans better sit down for this: Fuller is also considering launching a kickstarter campaign for a Pushing Daisies movie.
Universe. Make. It. So.
"From the moment the show was canceled [on ABC], I've been trying to do a Pushing Daisies movie and started writing a script for it," Fuller told me over the phone from London. "The best chance for it to happen, perhaps the only chance for it to happen, would be through something like Kickstarter. I haven't even been back in Los Angeles for more than five days since wrapping Hannibal, so one of the first orders of business is to find out more from [Veronica Mars creator] Rob Thomas to find out how he did it. And to call Warner Brothers to see if it's something that they would allow...But I would, Oh my God, I would love to get those actors together again. I have what I think is a very cool story; it's just a matter of finding out if it's possible. I think it would be such an interesting sentimental return."
In the meantime, he's setting his sights on some Daisies alums for his gritty new Hannibal Lector drama, airing Thursday nights. (The next new episode airs tonight.)
"I talked to Lee Pace about doing a role on [Hannibal] this season," Fuller reveals. "But he was doing a stage play and so we're planning to work that out with season two. He's definitely interested in doing the show and I would love to work with him again. I also very much wan to work with Anna Friel again, and Kristin Chenoweth clearly has to play someone in the Boston arts scene. Perhaps an opera singer. So we are hoping to make that all happen."
Of course the bigger question is whether Hannibal will indeed score a second season. Airing up against ABC's ever-growing Scandal (a social-media beast) and CBS' solid Elementary, Hannibal has fought tooth and nail (and so many other gory body parts) to hold its own in an extremely challenging timeslot. Fuller says he hasn't been told anything yet regarding the show's fate (NBC's full fall slate will be decided by May 12) but adds, "I know that we are a cost-efficient show so we're not hard to pick up. That's a nice way of saying we're a bargain show! (laughs) Hannibal was really well-produced, we have a fantastic team and our crew in Toronto was just knocking it out of the park."
We can't imagine NBC not keeping this kind of feature-film-quality series around. (And by the way, all the awards for Hugh Dancy. And upcoming guest star Gillian Anderson.) But if the show does get cancelled? Prepare for complete and utter devastation, Hannibal fans. "It ends on such a huge cliffhanger," Fuller admits. "It's a big ending where you're like, 'Oh my God, what is going to happen next?!' So our viewers will be screwed if we don't have a second season."
So spread the word: Hannibal, Thursdays nights after Parks and Recreation on NBC. Uncork some Chianti and be there!
Stand by for more scoop from Fuller on what crazy (bananas!) twists are coming up on Hannibal...and we'll of course be stalking him, and not-so-patiently waiting, for word of a Pushing Daisies movie campaign.
Anyone else excited by this prospect? Nahhh...didn't think so. (Holler if you need the piemaker to resuscitate you.)
After the last episode, it's like I'm not watching the same show. I like the turn of events. So glad the spotlight is on Will again. I have issues with Abigail's and Dr. Bloom's acting