There isn't much these days on NBC (or network television in general) to get excited about, which is what makes the prospect of "Hannibal" all the more intriguing. The first thing that nabbed our attention right away was the casting of the excellent Mads Mikkelsen — probably best known stateside as Le Chiffre in "Casino Royale" — in the title role. Next was the news that the movie would actually take place before he becomes a convicted killer, with a first season that would run a compact thirteen episodes.
Essentially, it looks like there is a distinct vision for this effort, and now the first look at Mikkelsen dining on something — perhaps human? — has emerged via some magazine scans from Le Blog Du Cinema. Hugh Dancy co-stars as Lecter's FBI partner, with the show set to chronicle their crime-solving partnership. Laurence Fishburne plays their boss, with Scott Thompson of "Kids In The Hall" fame (of all people) also on board as part of the FBI unit.
David Slade directed the pilot, but no word yet on when the series will debut. But given the half-season, we'd expect it to pop up sometime in early 2013, perhaps with the finale to air during sweeps. Either way, we can't remember the last time we were stoked for an NBC drama, so fingers crossed this isn't just "Law & Order: Hannibal," and that it'll offer up something special to go along with the premise. More images from the show below.