Hannibal

When the San Diego Comic-Con 2012 rolled around, Hannibal was just a small part of a larger panel about showrunner Bryan Fuller.  This year, however, the cannibal and agent Will Graham are getting a larger presence.

Hannibal is coming to a temporary end this week as season one comes to a close.  Good news that you already know, however, it will return for a season two and we cannot wait.  

The show has proven to be a real gem and quite unlike anything on NBC, that's for sure.

Inside, check out a preview for the season finale in which Will Graham is accused of murder and "pushed to the edge."

Good news, folks.  NBC has done the right thing and given a 13-episode second-season renewal Hannibal.  The new season will air no earlier than midseason.  

The announcement was made by NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke.  “We’re so proud of Bryan’s vision for a show that is richly textured, psychologically complex, and very compelling,” Salke said. “There are many great stories still to be told.”Critics have strongly embraced the series.

The series stars Hugh Dancy as expert criminal profiler Will Dancy, who has a unique ability to peer into the mind of serial killers. Mads Mikkelsen stars as Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a psychiatrist who is helping with the cases and, unbeknownst to Will, is also a serial killer himself.

HBO has revealed a new True Blood season 6 promo called "Governor Burrell's Address."  Burrell is played by series newcomer Arliss Howard and it looks like he's cracking down on vampires.  The new season begins June 16th.

Meanwhile, a promo for Hannibal's 10th episode, "Buffet Froid," awaits.  Here, BAU investigates a murder in which two victims' faces are similarly mutilated; given a "Glasgow Smile." For the first time, Will (Hugh Dancy) contaminates a crime scene thinking he committed the first murder and an MRI shows he suffers from Advanced Encephalitis. But Hannibal (Mads Mikkelsen) intimidates the attending physician, Dr. Sutcliffe, (John Benjamin Hickey into telling Will he's okay. Meanwhile, the team doubts Will who says, while revisiting the crime scene alone, he saw a mysterious, "dead-looking" woman (Ellen Muth) who may be involved. With his fears fed by Hannibal, Will returns to Dr. Sutcliffe for more mental health tests, when the doctor is murdered. 

Check out both promos inside!

Check out the preview for next week's episode of Hannibal inside.  Episode 7, entitled "Sorbet," features Gillian Anderson, X-Files fans...

When the BAU investigates a murder involving organ removal Jack (Laurence FIshburne) believes that the Chesapeake Ripper may have resurfaced, but Will (Hugh Dancy) determines that the victim's murder is the result of illegal organ harvesting accident. Meanwhile, Will suffers from nightmares where he is Abigail's father, and Hannibal (Mads Mikkelsen) slowly starts to seduce Alana Bloom (Caroline Dhavernas) and begins to visit his own therapist, Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier (Gillian Anderson).

Although NBC has yet to give Hannibal season 2 the official green light, that's not stopping Bryan Fuller from thinking about who he'd like to reach out to casting-wise.

"I guess my dream casting for the show would be to cast David Bowie as Hannibal Lecter’s uncle," he recently told Getty Images Entertainment.  "If we get a second season I will reach out and see if there is any interest.  NBC are saying that they’re very happy with where we are at so I hope that indicates towards a second season because I have a plan for season two that I think would be very exciting.”

Who knows if that casting will come to fruition, but it's a terrific idea.  Also, after the jump, check out the promo for season one's fifth episode, "Entree."

As we told you last week, Hannibal's true fourth episode - "Ceuf" - was not going to be aired due to its subject matter in the wake of the Boston bombings.  Instead, it will air episode five, "Coquilles," instead.  

TV Line reports that "Ceuf" is being "cannibalized" and spread out as a web series.  After the jump, you can watch a preview with an introduction from showrunner Bryan Fuller.

Next week, NBC intended to air Hannibal's true fourth episode, "Ceuf," instead the network is aiming to show "Coquilles" instead.

According to Deadline, "NBC quietly sent out an alert with the scheduling change on Monday, several hours before the Boston Marathon bombing, so the decision to pull the episode had no connection to this week’s violence in Boston. In fact, the premise of the discarded episode is more closely related with the December Newtown massacre."

Inside you'll find a promo for next week's episode of Hannibal, "Coquilles," which airs Thursday, April 25th.

In this episode, Will tracks a serial killer, but his return to field duty weighs on him heavily.

Elsewhere, Hannibal tries to drive Will and Jack apart; Jack’s wife enlists Hannibal as her therapist; and Beverly tries to bond with Will.

This week, we had the good fortune of speaking with showrunner Bryan Fuller from the show.  Listen in to our interview right here.

Hannibal showrunner Bryan Fuller drops in on The BloodCast for a lengthy, honest and insightful interview with host Ryan Turek.

The man behind Pushing Daisies, Dead Like Me and last year’s “Halloween event” Mockingbird Lane (aka The Munsters reboot), discusses the origins of NBC’s Hannibal and what's to come on the series.  The chat then leans into all things horror as Fuller and Turek look at Friday the 13th, remakes and reflect on Fuller's early days in the genre which includes writing the 2002 made-for-TV Carrie adaptation.

Give the interview a listen inside!

To download this episode of the podcast, visit The BloodCast's home, Geek Nation, via this link.

The BloodCast - hosted by yours truly - welcomes Jennings Roth Cornet of IGN to discuss Hannibal, the new series from Pushing Daisies’ creator Bryan Fuller and NBC.  

Cornet and yours truly examine Hannibal Lecter’s legacy in film and his cannibalistic antics on the small screen.  Naturally, it would not be a BloodCast without the discussion going off on various other tangents and, here, we most certainly do, talking about other television “psychos.”

To download this podcast directly, visit the home of The BloodCast, GeekNation.

Last night, NBC premiered the first episode of Hannibal and, now, we have a promo featuring clips from next week's episode and the season to come.

Next week, Will Graham (Hugh Dancy), now an official special investigator with the FBI, helps Jack Crawford (Laurence Fishburne) and the BAU unit search for a murderer who buries his victims alive to grow mushrooms. In their therapy sessions, Hannibal (Mads Mikkelsen) begins to gain Will's trust as they bond over responsibility for Abigail (guest star Kacey Rohl), and helps Will open up about his true feelings about killing Hobbs. Meanwhile, Freddie Lounds (guest star Lara Jean Chorostecki) snoops around the BAU's investigation.

In addition to the promo, you can now watch last night's episode here!  Check out both videos within...

We're less than a week away from the debut of NBC's new series Hannibal and five more images have been revealed - these are in addition to this nasty bit o' business we showed you earlier.  The pics are images from episodes one and two.  Check 'em out inside and read our review right here.

The series looks at the early days of FBI agent Will Graham's career and the time when he worked alongside Hannibal Lecter - naturally, before Graham realized Lecter was a cannibal. It appears the series is taking a few creative liberties, picking up with Graham being drawn back into the FBI game, which is where we saw him in Red Dragon/Manhunter, but in that book/film, Lecter had already been capture and Will was mentally exhausted/scarred by his time in the field.

This viewer greeted news of NBC’s decision to bring Dr. Hannibal Lecter to television with equal parts scorn and skepticism. The notorious serial killer on network television? And, with Manhunter, The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, Red Dragon, and Hannibal Rising, wasn’t it time to retire the character for at least a couple decades? Even accounting for a shift from feature films to episodic television, it seemed like an example of going to the well once too often. Not to mention NBC is not exactly thriving when it comes to quality television.

Having seen the first five episodes of the series, which begins airing the first season’s 13 episodes on Thursday, April 4th, the scorn and skepticism have almost entirely dissipated. The stab at classy horror mostly succeeds due to excellent performances from the leads, genuine suspense and surprises, well-constructed short and long-term mysteries, and an appropriately disconcerting mood that permeates the action right from the start. Like Fox’s The Following, it is also shockingly gory at times. Horror fans should be pleased. 

NBC released a new featurette that takes you deep into the world - and making of - Hannibal, the series kicking off on April 4th.  In addition to this, we discovered a nasty lil' photo from the show that demonstrates just how grisly it can get.  Head inside for a better look at the pic...

The series looks at the early days of FBI agent Will Graham's career and the time when he worked alongside Hannibal Lecter - naturally, before Graham realized Lecter was a cannibal. It appears the series is taking a few creative liberties, picking up with Graham being drawn back into the FBI game, which is where we saw him in Red Dragon/Manhunter, but in that book/film, Lecter had already been capture and Will was mentally exhausted/scarred by his time in the field.

NBC has released a new two and a half minute trailer for their upcoming Hannibal, based on the literary world created author Thomas Harris. Check it out in the player inside!

The series looks at the early days of FBI agent Will Graham's career and the time when he worked alongside Hannibal Lecter - naturally, before Graham realized Lecter was a cannibal. It appears the series is taking a few creative liberties, picking up with Graham being drawn back into the FBI game, which is where we saw him in Red Dragon/Manhunter, but in that book/film, Lecter had already been capture and Will was mentally exhausted/scarred by his time in the field.

David Slade directs the first episode which premieres April 4th.

NBC has revealed a new promo for Hannibal in anticipation of the show's April 4th debut.  This latest teaser is entitled "A Killer Reborn" and you can find it inside...

Starring Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen and Laurence Fishburne, episode one is directed by David Slade (30 Days of Night).  The story:  Will Graham is a gifted criminal profiler who is on the hunt for a serial killer with the FBI. Graham's unique way of thinking gives him the astonishing ability to empathize with anyone - even psychopaths. He seems to know what makes them tick. But when the mind of the twisted killer he's pursuing is too complicated for even Will to comprehend, he enlists the help of Dr. Lecter, one of the premier psychiatric minds in the country. Armed with the uncanny expertise of the brilliant doctor, Will and Hannibal (known as a serial killer only to the audience) form a brilliant partnership and it seems there's no villain they can't catch. If Will only knew...

Earlier this month, NBC bestowed its viewers with a 30-second teaser for the upcoming series Hannibal, based on the world created by author Thomas Harris.  After the jump, you'll find a 2-minute international trailer which provides us with a much better look at what's to come.

The series looks at the early days of FBI agent Will Graham's career and the time when he worked alongside Hannibal Lecter - naturally, before Graham realized Lecter was a cannibal.  It appears the series is taking a few creative liberties, picking up with Graham being drawn back into the FBI game, which is where we saw him in Red Dragon/Manhunter - but in that book/film, Lecter had already been capture and Will was mentally exhausted/scarred by his time in the field.

David Slade directs the first episode which premieres April 4th.

In anticipation of the April 4th debut of Hannibal, NBC has revealed a handful of character images to get you up to speed with the cast.

The pilot is directed by David Slade with Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies) acting as showrunner.  Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen star as Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter.

Will Graham is a gifted criminal profiler who is on the hunt for a serial killer with the FBI. Graham's unique way of thinking gives him the astonishing ability to empathize with anyone - even psychopaths. He seems to know what makes them tick. But when the mind of the twisted killer he's pursuing is too complicated for even Will to comprehend, he enlists the help of Dr. Lecter, one of the premier psychiatric minds in the country. Armed with the uncanny expertise of the brilliant doctor, Will and Hannibal (known as a serial killer only to the audience) form a brilliant partnership and it seems there's no villain they can't catch. If Will only knew...

Set to premiere on NBC on April 4, Bryan Fuller's upcoming Hannibal series has debuted a first trailer that you can check out in the player after the break, courtesy of EW

The pilot is directed by David Slade and the series is said to explore the early days of Hannibel Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) and the working relationship he had with FBI agent Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) before it turned sour.

"Hannibal" will also feature appearances by Gillian Anderson and Lance Henriksen.

Showrunner Bryan Fuller revealed today that his latest series, Hannibal, will debut on NBC April 4th at 10pm.  So much for those summer premiere rumors...

The pilot is directed by David Slade and the series is said to explore the early days of Lecter and the working relationship he had with FBI agent Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) before it turned sour.

In addition to this announcement, Fuller revealed a new pic of Mads Mikkelsen as Hannibal Lecter.  Head inside for a look!

A new slice of promotional art for the Hannibal Lecter series, Hannibal, from showrunner Bryan Fuller.  

The pic inside features Mads Mikkelsen who plays the eponymous cannibal.  Hugh Dancy and Laurence Fishburne star in the series Will Graham and Jack Crawford, respectively.  

The pilot is directed by David Slade and the series is said to explore the early days of Lecter and the working relationship he had with FBI agent Will Graham before it turned sour.  No release date has been set, but there are talks of a debut this summer.

He's tussled with the Queen Alien, Pumpkinhead and many other genre baddies, now, Lance Henriksen is going to face Hannibal Lecter.  TV Line reports the acting vet will appear in NBC's Hannibal series as a guest star for one episode.  His role is being kept a secret for now.

Over the weekend, NBC head honcho Robert Greenblatt addressed the press on the network's line-up and when we could possibly see Hannibal, showrunner Bryan Fuller's take on the world of Thomas Harris.

The X-Files' Gillian Anderson (Agent Scully) is the latest actress to join the cast of NBC's Hannibal, which is currently shooting.  According to Entertainment Weekly, she'll play Hannibal Lecter's therapist!  Her role will carry her through a few episodes, says the site.

Mads Mikkelsen, Hugh Dancy and Laurence Fishburne star in the series as Lecter, Will Graham and Jack Crawford, respectively.

Hannibal will air sometime in 2013.  David Slade is helming the first episode and Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies) is serving as the showrunner.  The synopsis for those who have not read it...

Fresh off his first teaming with showrunner Bryan Fuller on "Mockingbird Lane", Eddie Izzard is set to guest star on the upcoming NBC series "Hannibal", EW reports. He'll play a cellmate of Hannibal Lecter's opposite a cast that includes Mads Mikkelsen, Hugh Dancy and Laurence Fishburne.

The show, which is expected to premiere sometime in 2013 and you can check out the official description after the break.

Entertainment Weekly has published the first photos from NBC's upcoming Hannibal series starring Mads Mikkelsen, Hugh Dancy, and Laurence Fishburne.

The Bryan Fuller show is described as follows: One of the most fascinating literary characters comes to life on television for the first time: psychiatrist-turned-serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. In this new drama from Bryan Fuller ("Pushing Daisies," "Heroes"), based on the characters from Thomas Harris' classic novels, we see where this incredible story began. Will Graham is a gifted criminal profiler who is on the hunt for a serial killer with the FBI. 

The production outfit Gaumont has revealed two pieces of teaser art for Hemlock Grove, the Netflix original series helmed by Eli Roth, and Hannibal, currently shooting with David Slade (30 Days of Night) directing the pilot and Bryan Fuller acting as showrunner.

Both teasers are merely place holders and are not official.  Promos to get potential international buyers and other industry folk excited.

Hannibal - a new series from showrunner Bryan Fuller - is steeped in the world created by Thomas Harris and concerns the working relationship between Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) and Will Graham before the former is "outed" as a cannibal.  Hemlock Grove is based on the supernatural novel by Brian McGreevy.

We're still awaiting on air dates for both shows...

Hettienne Park has been cast in NBC's Hannibal series.  The actress will play opposite Hugh Dancy, as Will Graham, and Laurence Fishburne as Jack Crawford.  According to THR, Park is going to be "Beverly Katz, a bright-eyed yet weary crime scene investigator who specializes in working with fibers."  The character will also serve as a love interest for Graham.

Lara Jean Chorostecki is the latest actor to join the growing cast of Hannibal, NBC's series about the literary and cinematic world's favorite cannibal, Hannibal Lecter.  Chorostecki - best known for her turn on Camelot - is taking on a role previously filled by Stephen Lang in Manhunter and Philip Seymour Hoffman in Red Dragon.

More casting news regarding NBC's forthcoming Hannibal series...  According to TV Line, Caroline Dhavernas (Devil) has been cast as a character named Dr. Alana "Al" Bloom.  She'll join previously cast Hugh Dancy as Will Graham, Mads Mikkelsen as Hannibal Lecter and Laurence Fishburne as Jack Crawford.

Sure, sure...Hannibal is going to air on NBC, but that hasn't stifled my curiosity to see how showrunner Bryan Fuller tackles the weird, bloody world of author Thomas Harris.

We know the series focuses on FBI agent Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) and the early days of their working relationship before the latter was outed as a cool 'n cunning cannibal.  But who is set to play Graham's boss, Jack Crawford?

According to TV Line, Laurence Fishburne is circling that role.  And we're so down with that.

Dennis Farina, Scott Glenn and Harvey Keitel all played Crawford in Manhunter, The Silence of the Lambs and Red Dragon, respectively.

Bryan Fuller is taking a small break from his very busy schedule on Saturday to hit Comic-Con and discuss his past projects and his upcoming endeavors like Mockingbird Lane, a reboot of The Munsters, and Hannibal.  Both shows are coming to NBC.

Today, Fuller revealed that the first 500 people to enter Room 7AB at 1pm, when his panel starts, will get the Hannibal t-shirt you see on the right.  We've also been informed that a Mockingbird Lane sizzle reel is going to be shown.

Here is how the panel is described, per the SDCC schedule:

Acclaimed television writer/executive producer Bryan Fuller (Heroes), the creative force behind Pushing Daisies, Wonderfalls, and Dead Like Me, for a Q&A with fans as he discusses two of his highly anticipated projects, Hannibal and Mockingbird Lane. 

When Hugh Dancy was cast in NBC's forthcoming Hannibal series, the big question was: Who will play Hannibal Lecter himself?  Well, our answer is finally here.

EW reports Mads Mikkelsen (Valhalla Rising) has been cast to play the cannibalistic doctor.  Mikkelsen is also playing the villain in the upcoming Thor 2.

Bryan Fuller is executive producing and writing the series.  David Slade will helm the pilot.  Dancy, meanwhile, is playing FBI agent William Graham.

When NBC announced it was committing to Hannibal, a series created by Bryan Fuller, it was said the series would focus on Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter.  But in what capacity?  Was it going to be about Graham's pursuit of Lecter?  Or, was it about the working relationship they shared - hinted at in Thomas Harris' Red Dragon novel (and respective film adaptations)?  A recent press release about the series' 2012-2013 mid-season debut  confirms the latter with a full description of what's to come.

Considering the popularity of Thomas Harris' novels about Dr. Hannibal Lecter and the movies that have come from out of them, there's already a keen interest in the planned Hannibal television series that NBC is producing with Bryan Fuller, whose writing on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Voyager led to creating his own shows Dead Like Me, Wonderfalls and Pushing Daisies. (Fuller is also rebooting "The Munsters" for NBC.)

Unlike most television shows, NBC is skipping the "pilot" phase with Hannibal and has already committed to a full season of twelve episodes with plans to start shooting the first episode, directed by David Slade (30 Days of Night), in August, presumably for a mid-season launch.  

At the moment, British actor Dancy is the only one who has been cast in the role of FBI agent Will Graham, previously played by William Peterson (in Manhunter) and Edward Norton (in Red Dragon).

While talking to Dancy in New York for his upcoming period comedy Hysteria, our brother site, ComingSoon.net, got around to asking him about the show and its direction, and they got some nice hints about what to expect.

This was always suspected as happening, but here is the confirmation anyway...  NBC has ordered up a complete 13-episode season of Hannibal, the new television show from Bryan Fuller which explores the early days of Hannibal Lecter.