There are many of these new quasi-remake-prequel style genre television programmes popping up at the moment. For instance, they are making an American Psycho series with Doctor Who’s Matt Smith, which is tipped to be the next big thing. But one of the most popular of these series by word of mouth so far has to be that of the new Hannibal show, as everyone has been raving about it. However, I am always sceptical about prequels - just think about Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and you’ll know what I mean.

 

So, I came to Hannibal being very cynical and unconvinced that this could come anywhere near as close on the epic scale as Silence of the Lambs or its previous incarnation as Manhunter. The story is set in Baltimore, USA, in the months and years just before Dr Hannibal Lecter’s arrest by Will Graham with characters predominately based on Thomas Harris’ characters from Red Dragon. The FBI, namely Jack Crawford, have enlisted the slightly unhinged Will Graham to help them find serial killers due to his uncanny ability to get into the minds of psychopaths. This leads to the resurfacing of the Chesapeake Ripper aka Hannibal Lecter, who in turn is asked to help provide assistance with the cases. The entire season involves Jack Crawford and Will Graham attempting to find the Chesapeake Ripper whilst all the time being manipulated and misdirected by Lecter.

 

The show has a star-studded cast, including Laurence Fishburne (as Jack Crawford), Mads Mikkelsen (as Dr Hannibal Lecter), and Hugh Dancy (as Will Graham). Mikkelsen’s portrayal of Hannibal Lecter is superb, though at times it is difficult to understand exactly what he is saying due to his strong accent. In addition to the famous faces in the main cast, there are some special guest stars like Gillian Anderson, who played Scully in the X-Files, now starring as Dr Lecter’s own psychiatrist, and Eddie Izzard who plays crazed surgeon Dr Abel Gideon. There is also the return of some of the films’ favourite and most notable characters like Dr Chilton, played by Raul Esparza, which makes the show evermore delicious to watch.

 

With a human fungus farm and a gigantic human totem pole, the message at the beginning of the programme advising for viewer discretion is certainly well deserved. Nonetheless, the gruesomeness of the show only reflects that of which we have become accustomed to from the previous films, though I would advise that parents watch this far in advance of allowing their children to do so.

 

One aspect of the show that is a little unbelievable to me is the number of serial killers and psychopaths that reside in or around Baltimore and the state of Maryland, which I feel makes the show a little less realistic. However, if you can put that small fact aside and just sit back and enjoy the programme, it is some of the scariest, on the edge-your-seat stuff out there at the moment. What’s more, it is a heavily-laden psychological horror thriller that really makes you think about the way in which Hannibal Lecter manipulates people and avoids capture for such a long time.

 

All-in-all, Hannibal has actually turned out to be one of my favourite current television shows regardless of my initial scepticism. I absolutely loved the references to the previous films with lines like “I’m having an old friend to dinner” a reference to the ending of Silence of the Lambs, made even more poignant as it is said to Dr Chilton as he sits himself down to the table to unknowingly eat human flesh.

 

The last episode of the season ends on a cliff-hanger which will leave you reeling. I cannot wait for the next instalment next year, hopefully, as is rumoured, featuring David Tennant as a prolific psychopathic serial killer. Let us hope that this next series is as good if not better than the first, and with any luck not the last.