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If you’re looking for a new show to sink your teeth into this month, look no further than Netflix. On June 5th, all three seasons of NBC's beloved psychological horror serial killer series Hannibal will hit the streaming service.
Hannibal is based on characters and elements appearing in Thomas Harris' Red Dragon, Hannibal, and Hannibal Rising novels. the show follows FBI criminal profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy), who is tasked with assisting the Bureau in hunting down a serial killer. Graham is introduced to forensic psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelson), the notorious cannibalistic murderer, who supervises Graham while simultaneously working to manipulate the FBI from the inside.
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As the two begin to form a friendship, they become more and more entangled in each other’s lives. Graham’s ability to sympathize with psychopaths is of particular interest to Lecter. Soon, the not-so-good doctor begins testing Graham—to see at what point the profiler will break.
Hannibal was championed by critics and horror fans alike, with many praising Mikkelson’s intense performance as Hannibal Lecter. The series also starred Caroline Dhavernas, Laurence Fishburne, and Gillian Anderson as Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier, Lecter's personal psychiatrist.
Alas, some shows are simply too good for this world. Hannibal was canceled after three seasons, airing its final episode in 2015. And yet, in the time since, Hannibal's stature has only grown. The series boasts a rabid fanbase and is viewed by many as one of the most compelling shows of the past decade. Part of Hannibal's appeal, in addition to its stellar cast and gripping storytelling, was the many ways in which it breathed new life into the Hannibal Lecter lore, paying homage to its source material while expanding the overall narrative.
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The show’s fans have fought for additional seasons, especially after the series ended on such an ambiguous note. Now, supporters are hoping that Hannibal’s arrival on Netflix may spark new interest in reviving the series. Producer Bryan Fuller still has not given up hope for a fourth season and says he already has a number of ideas as to where the show could go.
Netflix has resuscitated canceled or underrated shows in the past. Here’s to hoping that Hannibal is no exception. In the meantime, you can binge-watch all three seasons of Hannibal on Netflix, beginning Friday, June 5!
Featured still from 'Hannibal' via NBC
