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Color me intrigued!

 

Earlier this summer, I told y'all about NBC's plans to develop the story of Hannibal Lector and his (original) archnemesis, FBI agent Will Graham, as a series for the small screen. At the time, respectable talent such as Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen, and Laurence Fishburne had already been locked down for roles (as Graham, Lecter, and Jack Crawford, respectively). But now the cast has been fleshed out even more (pun intended?), and this is shaping up to be a doozy of a TV show!

 

Firstly, we got Eddie Izzard, who is reportedly playing an inmate in the same facility housing Dr. Lecter, a delightful fellow who goes by the moniker The Chesapeake Ripper. Charming! Can't wait. (Incidentally, his casting in this series doesn't bode well for the future of another of NBC's projects, "Mockingbird Lane".)

 

Ellen Greene, known most recently for her stint on "Pushing Daisies" but known forever by me as Audrey from Little Shop of Horrors, has landed a recurring role as an author chum of Hannibal's (pun NOT intended this time), which sounds to me like this lady might have some secrets of her own mayhaps...?

 

Additionally, I'm hearing that, of all people, "SNL" alum and ubiquitous TV show guest star Molly Shannon will be dropping into this series as well, but only for one episode (for now). We all know she can bring the laughs, but she can also bring the discomfort too, making her a great choice for a little wicked black comedy relief.

 

And finally, we're now getting word of another inspired casting move - Anna Chlumsky, best remembered as little Vada Whatsherpuss from '90s classic My Girl, has been cast in a supporting role, as a sort of proto-Clarice FBI trainee. Anna is coming off a rather successful guest appearance as an E.L. James-type on "Law & Order: SVU" -- perhaps this flipped a light switch in the heads of the "Hannibal" casting peeps? Anna has lain pretty low in the years since My Girl, choosing to bypass the whole "awkward teenager" phase that so many child stars are susceptible to, only resurfacing years later as an adult. This would be a very interesting comeback indeed!

 

Finally, in an interesting twist, actress Lara Jean Chorostecki has been cast as a female version of the character Freddy Lounds, whom you might remember being engulfed in flames whilst strapped to an antique wheelchair in both Manhunter and Red Dragon. Chorostecki will play Freddie, a pushy, officious tabloid writer who gets too far up in Will Graham's grill for her own good. We all know how that eventually turns out (see previous wheelchair-in-flames remark)...

 

"Hannibal" is slated for a mid-season premiere next year, and I, for one, am looking forward to it!

 

- Katie Marzullo, YH Staff Editor