The Mads Mikkelsen Series Streaming For Free With More Gore Than Saw
The psychological horror-thriller television series Hannibal is available on the free streaming service Tubi. The show, which aired on NBC from 2013 to 2015, stars Mads Mikkelsen as Doctor Hannibal Lecter. Developed by Bryan Fuller, it is based on characters created by Thomas Harris in his Red Dragon, Hannibal, and Hannibal Rising novels.
Hannibal, starring Mads Mikkelsen, is streaming for free on Tubi.
The series revolves around the complex relationship between Doctor Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist and serial killer, and Will Graham (Hugh Dancy), an empathetic criminal profiler who works for the FBI. Will has a unique ability to empathize with and understand the minds of serial killers, which makes him valuable to the FBI in solving difficult cases.
Hannibal, on the other hand, is a cunning and manipulative killer who manages to maintain a facade of normalcy. As the series unfolds, Hannibal becomes a trusted friend and confidant to Will, all the while manipulating events to frame him for several murders. The series explores the psychological cat-and-mouse game between the unlikely pair and their twisted, dangerous friendship.
Throughout the series, Hannibal and Will become increasingly entangled, blurring the lines between good and evil. The show also delves into the cases they work on together, many of which are inspired by the original novels and provide a gruesome psychological backdrop to the main plot. Hannibal received critical acclaim during its run, particularly for its writing, performances, and visual style.
Mads Mikkelsen’s portrayal of Hannibal Lecter was widely praised for its subtle menace and sophistication. Hugh Dancy also received acclaim for his portrayal of Will Graham’s complex character. The series, in its entirety, was lauded for its artful and innovative cinematography, as well as its willingness to explore dark and unsettling themes.
Hannibal and Will become increasingly entangled, blurring the lines between good and evil.
Mads Mikkelsen studied real-life psychopaths and serial killers to prepare for his role as Dr. Lecter, aiming to create a more grounded and less theatrical portrayal. Bryan Fuller initially planned for the series to run for seven seasons, covering events from various Harris novels.
Despite critical acclaim, the series struggled with ratings, and it was eventually canceled after its third season. Executive producer Martha De Laurentiis blamed online piracy for the series being axed.
Hannibal Tries To Live Again
Bryan Fuller then began negotiations with Amazon Video and Netflix to potentially continue the show. Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy expressed interest in reprising their roles if the series was picked up.
However, there was a complication because Hannibal had an exclusive streaming agreement with Amazon, making it challenging to find a new platform. Discussions with Amazon didn’t work out due to tight deadlines set by the service as part of their agreement. Bryan Fuller believed these deadlines wouldn’t allow enough time to plan and produce a new season.
While meetings were held with Netflix, they, too, decided not to pursue the series, largely due to the existing deal with Amazon. Fuller confirmed that efforts were ongoing to find a new home for the show. Fuller also mentioned that he and the producers were exploring the possibility of a Hannibal feature film. He also discussed his plans for a storyline based on The Silence of the Lambs.
The Hannibal series is distinct from the earlier film adaptations of Thomas Harris’ novels, which include 1991’s The Silence of the Lambs, 2001’s Hannibal, and 2002’s Red Dragon. These films featured different actors in the roles of Hannibal Lecter and Will Graham. Sir Anthony Hopkins portrayed Hannibal Lecter in these films, earning an Academy Award for his role in The Silence of the Lambs.
In 2021, Alex Kurtzman and Jenny Lumet created a Hannibal off-shoot called Clarice, produced by CBS Studios, MGM Television, and Secret Hideout. The show draws inspiration from Harris’ The Silence of the Lambs and is set between the events of the 1991 film adaptation and the 2001 Hannibal movie.
Leading the cast is Rebecca Breeds as Clarice Starling, accompanied by Lucca De Oliveira, Devyn A. Tyler, Kal Penn, Nick Sandow, Michael Cudlitz, and Marnee Carpenter. In May 2021, CBS began discussions regarding the possibility of moving the series to Paramount+ for its second season. There has been no further progress on a second outing.
Despite its standalone status, Hannibal remains a brilliant entry in the crime-thriller genre, Mads Mikkelsen’s chilling take on the iconic Hannibal Lecter making the series a must-watch.
