Mads Mikkelsen to Play Hannibal Lecter in Hannibal TV Series

We've been waiting to see who NBC would hire to play Hannibal Lecter in the upcoming Hannibal TV series and the role has now been cast. According to Deadline, Casino Royale's Mads Mikkelsen (pictured below) has signed on to play the iconic doctor. He'll be joining Hugh Dancy, who was previously cast as FBI agent Will Graham. David Slade (30 Days of Night, Eclipse) will be directing the pilot episode and 13 one-hour episodes have already been ordered for the first season.

“Hannibal” – 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 (Hugh Dancy, “The Big C”) 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… Fuller is writer and executive producer. Martha De Laurentis (“Red Dragon,” “Hannibal”), Sara Colleton (“Dexter”), Jesse Alexander (“Lost”, “Heroes”), and Katie O’Connell also serve as executive producers. David Slade is the director/executive producer for the series pilot. “Hannibal” is produced by Gaumont International Television."

(Photo:Mads Mikkelsen - Casino Royale)