Hannibal hasn’t even completed its second season, but with good ratings and a strong critical response, NBC has shown the good taste (pun intended) to pick it up for a third. The show has produced enough twists and turns and a few WTF moments to keep any audience satisfied.

Hugh Dancy plays FBI profiler Will Graham, who is entrapped in the serial killer’s games. This is good drama and the byplay between Graham and Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) is worth the time and effort.

Hugh Dancy reflects on his character and the challenges of doing Hannibal.

The Flickcast: Can you talk about getting into the head space of Will because he’s a terribly troubled character?

HUGH DANCY: Yes. He’s not the happiest character I’ve ever played. Well, there’s obviously – other than Bryan’s [Fuller/Executive Producer] scripts, there’s Thomas Harris’s book, Red Dragon, that I went to before we started filming the first season, and that’s been the template ever since.

It was just, as a description of a character from the inside of his head, the most rich material that you can hope for as an actor.

Breakfast with Hannibal. That’s not what the NBC press reps were calling it, but the journalists present for the early morning Q&A panel on the show had a field day speculating on the possible culinary choices. Unfortunately the breakfast menu was the normal hotel convention food, but thankfully the panel made up for it.

Hannibal, now in its second season, is based on the Thomas Harris novel, Red Dragon, which investigates the early journey of forensic psychiatrist/serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) and FBI agent Will Graham (Hugh Dancy).

Hannibal is probably one of the most well know psycho villains in the world. We all know what’s going to happen…eventually, but the road trip to reach that final act is fascinating, startling and sometimes very disturbing. It probably also says a lot about us, the audience, as well. We are the ultimate voyeurs.

Mads Mikkelsen is an excellent choice for this early version of the pervasive serial killer. After the panel he thoughtfully answered more questions from the press.

The Flickcast: Do you think Hannibal hits all of the points of being a psychopath, or what is he?

That’s right fans of intense, adult TV drama, NBC has apparently heard you and decided to give Hannibal a second season of 13 episodes. The announcement came today, almost two full weeks after NBC’s Upfront presentation.

The series, based on the novel Red Dragon by Thomas Harris and developed for television by Bryan Fuller, will return mid-season (after most of NBC’s new Fall shows tank). We kid, we kid.

“We’re so proud of Bryan’s vision for a show that is richly textured, psychologically complex, and very compelling,” NBC Entertainment president Jennifer Salke said. “There are many great stories still to be told.”

Could not agree more. This show is almost too good for TV and with several other entities, including Amazon, waiting in the wings should NBC not renew the series, we were confidant it would cary on in some form or another.

Fortunately, it looks like NBC decided to make a good decision here and go with the quality. We’re very glad they did.

I have to admit it, I’m skeptical. Surprised? You shouldn’t be.

As much as I’m a fan of the actor Mads Mikkelsen, the upcoming show with him as Hannibal Lecter just looks, well, kinda weak. Yes, I’m talking about NBC’s Hannibal, which depicts a young FBI Special Agent Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and his search for serial killers.

The catch? He’s getting advice from none other than Hannibal Lecter, the most dangerous serial killer of them all. See, the premise sounds pretty cool, it’s just the execution (no pun intended) that seems suspect.

Anyway, check out a teaser for the new show after the break and judge for yourself. Hannibal comes to NBC on April 4th.

NBC has officially ordered a series based upon novelist Thomas Harris’ unforgettable creation, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Hannibal will be a modern update on Harris’ novel and the subsequent film, Red Dragon. The show will follow the beginning of Lecter’s relationship with FBI agent Will Graham, before Lecter was exposed as a serial killer himself. Obviously, if the series is successful, there is the chance that the show may delve into the material presented in the Silence of the Lambs  and Hannibal films.

Pushing Daisies creator Bryan Fuller wrote the pilot script for the series and will also act as executive producer for the show. Fuller is also known for creating creative and visually striking shows like Wonderfalls and Dead Like Me. Fuller officially announced his involvement in the project last September and NBC’s interest was piqued shortly after.