NBC Casts Bond Baddie as Hannibal Lecter for Upcoming Series
Mads Mikkelsen
Former Bond villain Mads Mikkelsen has been cast as the title character in NBC's upcoming series, Hannibal, Deadline reports.
Mikkelsen, 46, will star opposite Hugh Dancy in the project, which is described as a contemporary thriller featuring characters from Thomas Harris' bestselling Red Dragon novel. In the show, Dr. Hannibal Lecter and FBI agent Will Graham (Dancy) will be re-introduced at the beginning of their relationship. The series is written and executive-produced by Pushing Daisies' Bryan Fuller, who is also penning the Munsters remake for NBC.
Hugh Dancy to star in NBC's Hannibal series
NBC ordered a 13-episode first season of the show back in February, and it is set to premiere sometime midseason.
The Hannibal Lecter character was made famous by Anthony Hopkins, who won an Oscar for his portrayal in 1991's The Silence of the Lambs. He reprised the role in 2001's Hannibal and 2002's Red Dragon. Brian Cox originally played the serial killer in the 1986 box office flop Manhunter.
The role will mark the U.S. TV debut for Mikkelsen, who just won the best actor prize at the Cannes Film Festival for The Hunt and recently landed the villain role for Thor 2. He is also best known for playing bad guy Le Chiffre in Casino Royale.
Do you think Mikkelsen will make a good Hannibal?