Hannibal (TV series)

Hannibal

Company type	Television series
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	April 4, 2013 (2013-04-04)
Founder	Bryan Fuller
Headquarters	United States
Products	Television series

Hannibal is a psychological horror and thriller television series from the United States, created by Bryan Fuller for the NBC network. Drawing inspiration from the characters in Thomas Harris' novels Red Dragon, Hannibal, and Hannibal Rising, the narrative focuses on the intricate dynamic between FBI profiler Will Graham (portrayed by Hugh Dancy) and forensic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter (played by Mads Mikkelsen), who simultaneously acts as Graham's confidant and nemesis.

The series launched with an initial 13-episode commitment, premiering on April 4, 2013. Executive producer David Slade, who also directed the opening episode, guided the show through its first season. On May 9, 2014, it was renewed for a third season, which began airing on June 4, 2015. Despite receiving widespread praise from critics, NBC discontinued Hannibal after three seasons due to insufficient audience numbers; the concluding episode was broadcast in August 2015.

Critical acclaim highlighted the outstanding performances of the lead actors and the show's unique visual presentation. The first two seasons earned Saturn Awards for Best Network Television Series, with Mikkelsen and Dancy each winning Best Actor awards, and Laurence Fishburne securing Best Supporting Actor for the second season. The final season was honored with the inaugural Saturn Award for Best Action-Thriller Television Series, while guest star Richard Armitage received Best Supporting Actor recognition. Over time, the series has cultivated a devoted cult following and is widely regarded as one of the premier horror television productions and network dramas of its era.

Plot

FBI profiler Will Graham is enlisted by Jack Crawford, head of the FBI's Behavioral Sciences unit, to pursue a serial murderer operating in Minnesota. As this investigation takes a toll on Graham's psychological well-being, Crawford appoints forensic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter to oversee his progress. Unknown to the FBI, Lecter himself is a cannibalistic serial killer who subtly manipulates the case from within. His obsession with Graham’s extraordinary empathetic skills drives him to push Graham toward mental collapse, with the intention of molding him into a killer.

Main

• Hugh Dancy portrays Will Graham, a highly skilled criminal profiler whose profound empathy for serial killers impacts his mental health. His intricate connection with Lecter forms the core of the storyline.
• Mads Mikkelsen plays Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a forensic psychiatrist and culinary connoisseur who secretly operates as the Chesapeake Ripper, a cannibalistic serial murderer.
• Caroline Dhavernas appears as Dr. Alana Bloom, a psychology professor and FBI consultant professionally linked to both Graham and Lecter.
• Hettienne Park features as Beverly Katz, a crime scene investigator specializing in fiber analysis (seasons 1–2).
• Laurence Fishburne portrays Jack Crawford, head of Behavioral Sciences at the FBI and Graham’s supervisor.
• Scott Thompson acts as Jimmy Price, a fingerprint analyst (recurring season 1; main seasons 2–3).
• Aaron Abrams plays Brian Zeller, crime scene investigator (recurring season 1; main seasons 2–3).
• Gillian Anderson is Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier, Lecter's psychotherapist with a complicated history involving his patients (recurring seasons 1–2; main season 3).

Recurring

• Raúl Esparza portrays Frederick Chilton, the administrator of Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane.
• Kacey Rohl appears as Abigail Hobbs, daughter and accomplice to serial killer Garrett Jacob Hobbs, with a complex dynamic involving Lecter.
• Lara Jean Chorostecki plays Freddie Lounds, a tabloid blogger who operates the true crime website TattleCrime.
• Eddie Izzard is cast as Abel Gideon, a surgeon confined to an institution who is deceived into believing he is the Chesapeake Ripper.
• Gina Torres acts as Phyllis "Bella" Crawford, wife of Jack Crawford, who is confronting terminal lung cancer.
• Vladimir Jon Cubrt embodies Garrett Jacob Hobbs, the Minnesota Shrike serial murderer.
• Anna Chlumsky takes on the role of Miriam Lass, an FBI trainee and protégé of Crawford who vanishes while investigating the Chesapeake Ripper (seasons 1–2).
• Katharine Isabelle portrays Margot Verger, a patient of Lecter suffering abuse at the hands of her twin brother Mason (seasons 2–3).
• Michael Pitt (season 2) and Joe Anderson (season 3) depict Mason Verger, Margot’s cruel twin brother scheming against Lecter.
• Cynthia Nixon features as Kade Prurnell, an investigator from the Office of Inspector General (season 2).
• Jonathan Tucker plays Matthew Brown, a psychopathic orderly obsessed with Will Graham who attempts to murder Lecter (season 2).
• Richard Armitage appears as Francis Dolarhyde, also known as The Tooth Fairy for his habit of biting victims’ skin (season 3).
• Fortunato Cerlino acts as Rinaldo Pazzi, an Italian inspector working alongside Jack Crawford in the search for Lecter (season 3).
• Tao Okamoto portrays Chiyoh, handmaiden to Lecter’s aunt Lady Murasaki (season 3).
• Glenn Fleshler plays Cordell Doemling, Mason Verger’s intelligent nurse (season 3).
• Nina Arianda appears as Molly Graham, Will’s supportive wife assisting his recovery and return to the FBI (season 3).
• Rutina Wesley portrays Reba McClane, a blind woman who becomes Dolarhyde’s romantic interest (season 3).

Development

The development of a Hannibal television series began at NBC in 2011 when former head of drama Katie O'Connell enlisted her longtime friend Bryan Fuller, previously a writer-producer on NBC's Heroes, to draft a pilot script. NBC committed funding before the script was finalized. On February 14, 2012, based solely on Fuller's script, NBC bypassed the traditional pilot process and ordered a 13-episode first season. Production commenced soon thereafter.

David Slade, known for directing NBC's Awake pilot, directed the premiere episode and served as an executive producer. Culinary expert José Andrés contributed as the series’ "culinary cannibal consultant," advising on authentic preparation methods for human flesh consumption.

Fuller highlighted that the limited episode count allowed for concentrated storytelling. He described Hannibal Lecter as possessing a "cheery disposition," rather than being overtly presented as a villain. Fuller characterized the relationship between Will Graham and Lecter as fundamentally "a love story," which he intended to explore deeply over the first two seasons.

Initially, Fuller envisioned seven seasons: three featuring original narratives followed by adaptations of Red Dragon, The Silence of the Lambs, and Hannibal, concluding with an original finale. After season two, this plan was revised to six seasons with a different integration of source material. Season three incorporated elements from Hannibal Rising alongside adapting Hannibal. Fuller aimed to include characters such as Jame Gumb and Clarice Starling, contingent upon securing rights from MGM. Unable to acquire rights for certain characters led Fuller to create new ones like Franklin Froideveaux and Tobias Budge. Similarly, a character inspired by Barney Matthews was replaced with Matthew Brown in season two.

The name Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier pays homage to both Creepshow and author Daphne du Maurier.

Fuller cited influences from filmmakers such as David Lynch, Stanley Kubrick, David Cronenberg, and Dario Argento, aiming for a unique visual style and soundscape. For season three, he also drew inspiration from director Tony Scott.

Casting

The role of FBI profiler Will Graham, who collaborates with Lecter to apprehend serial killers, was initially assigned to Hugh Dancy. In June 2012, Mads Mikkelsen was selected to portray Hannibal Lecter, followed by Laurence Fishburne taking on the role of Jack Crawford, the head of the FBI Behavioral Sciences Unit. Caroline Dhavernas was cast as Dr. Alana Bloom, a former pupil of Lecter, while Hettienne Park appeared as CSI Beverly Katz. The recurring cast featured Lara Jean Chorostecki, Kacey Rohl, Scott Thompson, and Aaron Abrams.

Gina Torres, who is married to Fishburne, portrayed Phyllis "Bella" Crawford, Jack’s terminally ill spouse. Season one also included performances by Ellen Greene, Raúl Esparza, and Gillian Anderson, with guest appearances from Molly Shannon, Eddie Izzard, and Lance Henriksen.

Several performers had previously worked with series creator Bryan Fuller: Dhavernas starred in Wonderfalls, while Torres, Greene, Esparza, and Shannon had roles in Pushing Daisies. Additionally, Chelan Simmons reprised her part from Wonderfalls in a guest episode, and Ellen Muth, known from Fuller's Dead Like Me, returned portraying a reimagined version of her original character.

For the second season, although David Bowie was considered for the role of Lecter’s uncle, he was unavailable. Gillian Anderson returned as Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier, and Eddie Izzard reprised his role as Dr. Abel Gideon. New recurring actors included Cynthia Nixon as Kade Prurnell, who investigates Jack Crawford; Katharine Isabelle as Margot Verger, an LGBT character; and Michael Pitt playing Margot’s twin brother Mason Verger. Guest appearances featured Amanda Plummer, along with Jeremy Davies and Chris Diamantopoulos.

Following the 2014 Saturn Award win for Best Network Television Series, Fuller revealed efforts to cast Bowie for season three and expressed interest in actors such as David Thewlis, Brad Dourif, Kristin Chenoweth, Lee Pace, and Anna Friel. Gillian Anderson was elevated to series regular status. Tao Okamoto joined the cast as Chiyoh, the handmaid to Lady Murasaki, while Joe Anderson took over the role of Mason Verger from Michael Pitt. Additional additions included Fortunato Cerlino as Rinaldo Pazzi; Richard Armitage portraying Francis Dolarhyde; Nina Arianda as Molly Graham, Will’s wife; Rutina Wesley playing Reba McClane; and Glenn Fleshler as Dr. Cordell Doemling. Zachary Quinto guest-starred as one of Dr. Du Maurier’s patients. Eddie Izzard returned for the season three premiere despite initial reluctance.

Fuller mentioned that if the series continued or a film adaptation of The Silence of the Lambs was developed, he envisioned casting Elliot Page in the role of Clarice Starling.

In July 2020, Fuller revealed that NBC executives had advocated for casting either John Cusack or Hugh Grant as Lecter to attract a larger audience but ultimately favored Mikkelsen for the part, likening this decision to James Spader’s casting in The Blacklist. Additionally, although Fuller admired David Tennant’s audition for Lecter, he concluded that Mikkelsen was the best fit for the character.

Filming

The production of Hannibal was primarily based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Filming for the inaugural season commenced on August 27, 2012. The second season's shooting also took place in Toronto, beginning in August 2013. For the third season, filming started on October 20, 2014, again in Toronto, with selected exterior and interior sequences captured in Florence, Italy and Palermo.

Cancellation and proposed revival

NBC announced the series cancellation on June 22, 2015. Following this, creator Bryan Fuller engaged in discussions about renewing the show with Amazon Video and Netflix. By July 2015, after contracts had expired, the cast was released; both Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy showed interest in reprising their roles if a streaming platform acquired the series. However, Amazon's exclusive streaming agreement complicated efforts to secure a new distributor.

Negotiations with Amazon ended due to conflicts between their deadline requirements and Fuller's creative schedule. Netflix declined to pick up the show, mainly because of Amazon's exclusive rights. Fuller confirmed that attempts to find a new home for the series continued, including exploring the possibility of a feature-length film. After the final episode aired, Fuller disclosed intentions to develop a Silence of the Lambs storyline and mentioned Starz as a potential partner for revival, given their prior collaboration on American Gods.

In November 2015, Fuller reunited with Gillian Anderson to direct a Hannibal-themed commercial for PETA. By December of that year, Mikkelsen reaffirmed his willingness to return while expressing contentment with the series' existing run if it did not continue.

In March 2016, producer De Laurentiis cited online piracy as one reason behind the show's cancellation. Both Mikkelsen and Fuller remained hopeful about a revival but acknowledged that timing and rights issues were significant obstacles. Fuller indicated that by August 2017, formal exploration of options could proceed once rights restrictions expired. In December 2016, he confirmed plans for a Silence of the Lambs miniseries aimed at developing unused material from the original book.

By August 2017, official talks regarding a potential revival had begun. In January 2019, Mikkelsen revealed that Fuller was actively working to obtain rights to The Silence of the Lambs to broaden the franchise universe and possibly bring the series back.

Episode order

The fourth episode of the series, "Oeuf", which centers on abducted children indoctrinated to kill their own families, was withheld from U.S. television broadcasts at Bryan Fuller's request. However, it was aired internationally. The decision to pull this episode occurred shortly before its scheduled U.S. premiere and was motivated by sensitivity surrounding the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, rather than the Boston Marathon bombing. Fuller explained that this choice was made out of respect for public sentiment and to prevent compromising viewers' experience due to the episode’s themes. Instead of traditional airing, segments of the episode were distributed online as webisodes. The complete episode later became accessible via iTunes and Amazon Video on April 29, 2013, and is presented in its intended sequence on DVD and Blu-ray editions.

Removal by KSL-TV

On April 29, 2013, the Salt Lake City NBC affiliate KSL-TV removed Hannibal from its lineup after airing just four episodes, citing objections to the program’s graphic violence and Hannibal Lecter themes. As a property of Bonneville International—an entity affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—KSL's decision was consistent with several prior contentious preemptions that occurred before its 1995 transition from CBS to NBC. Series creator Fuller condemned the cancellation, comparing it to authoritarian censorship reminiscent of Soviet-era media restrictions. To fill the slot, KSL introduced its local newsmagazine, KSL In Depth. Subsequently, the show found a new home on Salt Lake City’s CW affiliate, KUCW, which frequently broadcast NBC programs that KSL declined due to content concerns.

International broadcast

In Canada, the network City secured rights to air the series, launching it mid-season and maintaining its Thursday evening timeslot even after NBC shifted Hannibal to Saturdays during its third season.

For European audiences, ProSiebenSat.1 Media Group obtained broadcasting rights in 2012 for Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark with broadcasts commencing in 2013. Meanwhile, viewers in the UK and Ireland could watch the series on Sky Living starting May 7, 2013.

In the South Pacific region, Australia's Seven Network began airing Hannibal in mid-April 2013. New Zealand's TV3 followed with a premiere on January 25, 2014. Latin American viewers accessed the show through AXN, while in the Middle East and North Africa it was available via OSN.

Chinese censorship led to altered subtitles where the word "kill" was replaced by "suck," unintentionally introducing suggestive phrasing that attracted social media mockery. This change exemplifies a common censorship approach employed within China.

Season 1

The inaugural season garnered generally positive feedback. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an 82% approval rating based on 68 critiques, averaging a score of 7.7 out of 10. The critical consensus notes that Hannibal appeals to viewers who appreciate intellectual psychological thrillers infused with substantial gore and a refined depiction of madness. On Metacritic, it earned a score of 70 out of 100 from 32 reviews, signifying "generally favorable" reception.

Joanne Ostrow of The Denver Post commended the series as "well crafted" and "expertly written," highlighting engaging characters despite its intense violent imagery. Paul Doro from Shock Till You Drop gave it an 8/10 rating, praising strong lead performances, suspenseful storytelling, and intricate mysteries—particularly noting Hugh Dancy’s nuanced portrayal of complex interpersonal dynamics. Jeff Jensen of Entertainment Weekly awarded an A− grade, describing it as "exceptionally acted, visually sumptuous, and delightfully subversive."

Brian Lowry at Variety called it "the most compelling drama introduced by the network in some time," applauding the performances of Dancy, Mikkelsen, and Fishburne as central strengths. Eric Goldman from IGN rated it 9/10, emphasizing how the show transcends preconceived notions to deliver an outstanding prequel series. Linda Stasi from The New York Post gave two and a half stars out of four, praising its production values as "the most beautifully shot and produced program on network television."

Jeff Simon of The Buffalo News described it as "profoundly sinister" and "brilliant," while Lori Rackl from the Chicago Sun-Times remarked on its cable-quality production and strong execution, forecasting that audiences would be left eager for more. Alan Sepinwall of HitFix characterized Hannibal as "creepy, haunting, intelligent, and visually stunning," commending its credible depiction of Hannibal Lecter without diminishing law enforcement characters.

Upon conclusion of the season, Emily St. James from The A.V. Club observed that the series restores depth to a genre often dominated by superficial violence. She portrayed it as an insightful examination of psychiatry and human psychology intertwined with serial killer drama elements and credited Bryan Fuller for elevating what might have otherwise been a low-quality cash grab into one of television’s finest offerings.

More critical opinions included Glenn Garvin from The Miami Herald, who dismissed it as "a hastily assembled mess" marked by weak planning and execution alongside subpar dialogue and character development. Matthew Gilbert from The Boston Globe labeled the series "gruesome and bleak," ultimately deeming it "shocking but hollow."

Season 2

The second season achieved "universal acclaim," earning a Metacritic score of 88/100 based on 14 critiques and a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 9.3/10 from 45 reviews. Critics commended its striking visuals and unpredictable narrative. On April 10, 2014, Hannibal was awarded Hulu's "Best in Show" in their online competition.

Mark Peters of Slate characterized the series as "a captivating, psychologically complex program that is visually breathtaking," though he pointed out limited development of female characters. Matt Zoller Seitz from New York magazine described it as "serenely unique compared to anything else on television." Alan Sepinwall at HitFix emphasized the strong performances by the lead cast, while The A.V. Club declared it the finest TV series of 2014, dubbing it "the most elegant and thrilling ride on television."

The finale of season two was met with widespread critical praise, receiving a flawless 10/10 rating from IGN, particularly applauding David Slade's direction. The A.V. Club gave it an "A" grade, calling it "a perfectly executed conclusion to the season." Critics from Den of Geek and Digital Spy highlighted the episode’s intensity and Mikkelsen’s acting, also noting the impactful sound design. TV Guide recognized it as the top TV episode of 2014.

Season 3

Season three of Hannibal continued to garner critical praise, holding a 98% approval on Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 8.9/10 derived from 47 reviews. The consensus praised Bryan Fuller's "delightfully twisted season," blending "stunning gore" with dark humor. On Metacritic, it received an 84 out of 100 from 15 reviews, signaling "universal acclaim." Joshua Rivera from Business Insider hailed it as one of television’s finest shows, while Dominic Patten of Deadline Hollywood remarked that the series returned more powerful than ever.

Particularly notable were the performances by Mads Mikkelsen and Gillian Anderson; Bloody Disgusting applauded Anderson for elevating Mikkelsen’s work and lauded Fuller’s intricately crafted scripts that unpredictably redefine characters, solidifying season three as the premier horror series on TV. Chris Cabin at Slant Magazine awarded four stars for its ambitious storytelling and bold visuals. Jeff Jensen from Entertainment Weekly gave it an "A−," describing it as the most compelling and visually arresting serial-killer drama on television.

Critics' top ten list

2013
No. 2 Slant No. 2 Vulture No. 4 Filmmaker Magazine No. 7 Houston Chronicle No. 8 IndieWire No. 9 HitFix No. 9 TV Guide  – IGN

2014
No. 1 The A.V. Club No. 1 IGN No. 1 TV Guide No. 1 Vulture No. 2 Complex No. 2 Digital Spy No. 2 Vox No. 2 We Got This Covered No. 3 RogerEbert.com No. 3 Slant No. 3 TV.com No. 5 National Post No. 6 PopMatters No. 7 The Daily Beast No. 8 HitFix No. 10 Entertainment Weekly

2015
No. 1 ScreenCrush No. 1 Slant No. 1 Vulture No. 3 IGN No. 3 Time Out New York No. 3 We Got This Covered No. 4 Digital Spy No. 4 Rapid City Journal No. 7 The A.V. Club No. 7 CinemaBlend No. 7 Entertainment Weekly No. 7 RogerEbert.com No. 9 Thompson on Hollywood No. 10 The Playlist  – Criticwire  – Flavorwire  – Variety  – The Week  – Wired

2010s
No. 1 Slant No. 1 ComingSoon.net No. 4 Slashfilm No. 5 IndieWire No. 6 RogerEbert.com No. 7 GamesRadar+ No. 7 Screen Rant

Accolades

Honors and recognitions received by Hannibal

Year	Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Outcome
2013	Online Film & Television Association Awards	Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series	Gillian Anderson	Template:Nom
		Outstanding New Theme Song in a Series		Template:Nom
		Outstanding New Titles Sequence		Template:Nom
	Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards	Graphic Design – Titles	Nic Benns, Andrew Popplestone, Rodi Kaya, David Slade	Template:Won
2014	IGN Awards	Outstanding TV Actor	Hugh Dancy	Template:Nom
		Outstanding TV Horror Series		Template:Won
		Outstanding TV Villain	Mads Mikkelsen	Template:Nom
		Outstanding TV Series		Template:Nom
		Outstanding New TV Series		Template:Won
	40th Saturn Awards	Best Network Television Series		Template:Won
		Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television	Hugh Dancy	Template:Nom
			Mads Mikkelsen	Template:Won
		Saturn Award for Best Guest Starring Role on Television	Gina Torres	Template:Nom
	4th Critics' Choice Television Awards	Best Drama Actor	Hugh Dancy	Template:Nom
	EWwy Award	Outstanding Drama Series		Template:Won
		Outstanding Guest Actor, Drama	Michael Pitt	Template:Nom
	Online Film & Television Association Awards	Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series	Mads Mikkelsen	Template:Nom
2015	19th Satellite Awards	Best Actor – Television Series Drama	Mads Mikkelsen	Template:Nom
		Best Television Series – Drama		Template:Nom
	IGN Awards	Outstanding TV Series		Template:Won
		Outstanding TV Horror Series		Template:Won
		Outstanding TV Villain	Mads Mikkelsen	Template:Won
		Outstanding TV Episode	"Mizumono"	Template:Nom
	41st Saturn Awards	Best Network Television Series		Template:Won
		Best Actor on Television	Hugh Dancy	Template:Won
			Mads Mikkelsen	Template:Nom
		Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor on Television	Laurence Fishburne	Template:Won
		Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television	Caroline Dhavernas	Template:Nom
		Best Guest Star on Television	Michael Pitt	Template:Nom
		Best DVD or Blu-ray TV Series	Season 2	Template:Nom
	Fangoria Chainsaw Awards 2015	Outstanding TV Series		Template:Nom
		Outstanding TV Actor	Hugh Dancy	Template:Nom
			Mads Mikkelsen	Template:Nom
		Outstanding TV Supporting Actress	Gillian Anderson	Template:Won
		Outstanding TV Makeup/Creature FX	Francois Dagenais	Template:Nom
2016	6th Critics' Choice Television Awards	Best Drama Actor	Hugh Dancy	Template:Nom
			Template:Won

Home media releases

The complete first season, containing all 13 episodes, was made available on Blu-ray and DVD in region 2 on September 2, 2013, followed by region 1 on September 24, 2013, and region 4 on September 25, 2013. The region 1 edition offers two audio commentaries featuring Bryan Fuller, David Slade, and Hugh Dancy, along with deleted scenes, a blooper reel, pilot episode storyboards, four featurettes, and "producer's cut" versions of five episodes.

The full second season collection was issued in region 1 on September 16, 2014. This release includes audio commentaries by cast and crew members for various episodes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, a gag reel, deleted scenes, and the "Post Mortem" webisodes presented by Scott Thompson.

Released in region 1 on December 8, 2015, the third season’s complete set contains ten audio commentaries involving both cast and crew, producer’s cut editions of seven episodes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, a gag reel, deleted scenes, as well as the "Post Mortem" webisodes hosted by Scott Thompson.