NBC has just ordered 13 episodes of “Hannibal,” which is a thriller based upon a serial killer who is also a cannibal. The series will feature Dr. Hannibal Lecter and Agent Will Graham, both of whom were characters in Thomas Harris’ book, “Hannibal” and “Red Dragon.”
The new series will not be focusing on “Clarice Starling,” who was a character in “Hannibal.” Starling’s character was made famous by Jodie Foster in “Silence of the Lambs.” Graham is the FBI agent who captured Lector when he escaped and went on a killing spree.
Now, there are some questions. Who is going to play Hannibal Lector? It’s going to be a tough pair of shoes to fill because Anthony Hopkins had an Academy Award winning performance as Dr. Lector. Another big question is how NBC plans on taking what would normally be a very gory story and bringing it to prime time television.
NBC’s direct to series order of “Hannibal” can end up saving the network money, as they are bypassing the traditional pilot stage. It’s a really risky move, though. The pilot process has been a time honored process. It gives networks a chance to rework a show if it’s needed or they can simply just dump it all together if it’s not going to work. A direct-to-series order was given for “The Firm” and it promptly flopped on Thursday nights.
“Hannibal” is Bryan Fuller’s project and there’s another one that generating a lot of buzz. That would be “The Munsters.” Fuller has completed redone the show into what is now being called a “modernized reboot.” It’s premier has been pushed back, though.
There’s a pilot order up for NBC, too. That’s for “Notorious,” which is written by Liz Heldens. It sounds a bit like “Revenge” on ABC. “Notorious” has been described as an “opulent soap opera.”
