After NBC picked up “Constantine” yesterday, there was some talk that the DC Comics inspired series could be paired with “Grimm” on Friday nights; which caused some concern about the future of “Hannibal.” However, the good Doctor Lecter will be around for at least one more year.
Ahead of the network upfronts, NBC has officially ordered a third season of “Hannibal,” a modern update of Thomas Harris’ iconic serial killer. As re-conceived by Bryan Fuller, “Hannibal” focuses on Will Graham (Hugh Dancy), a FBI special investigator who will do anything to expose Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) as a serial killer, even if it means becoming a killer himself. Laurence Fishburne costars as Jack Crawford, with Caroline Dhavernas as Dr. Alana Bloom.
“Hannibal” has performed reasonably well on Friday nights, as it has averaged 3.6 million viewers. Another factor in the continued existence of “Hannibal” is that it is produced by Gaumont International Television and pre-sold around the world; which means that NBC pays far less to make “Hannibal” than it would cost to create a new drama.
The third season of “Hannibal” will likely premiere in Spring 2015 on NBC.
