The Brainerd Dispatch - Today's Entertainment Magazine
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2 • May 31 - June 6, 2015 • Brainerd Dispatch By Jacqueline Spendlove TV Media T hough few of us would want to encounter a serial killer in real life, these murderous gents do tend to glean a significant follow- ing in fiction. Hannibal Lecter is undoubtedly one of literature's most famous se- rial killers and has been portrayed in several films based on the series of novels by Thomas Harris. In 2013, the character was brought to the small screen with the psy- chological thriller "Hannibal," which ended its sophomore sea- son in a blood-soaked finale last year. Despite middle-of-the-road ratings, the series has achieved critical acclaim and a loyal follow- ing. The third season of "Hanni- bal" premieres Thursday, June 4, on NBC. If you haven't read the books or seen the movies, chances are you still have some basic knowledge of "Hannibal the Cannibal," the bril- liant and cultured forensic psychi- atrist with the singular eating hab- its, first introduced in Harris's 1981 novel "Red Dragon." The novel was first adapted for film in 1986 with "Manhunter," featuring Brian Cox ("Troy," 2004) as Lecter, but it was after the success of the book's sequel, "The Silence of the Lambs," that the character was brought into prominence — par- ticularly after the release of the 1991 sleeper hit film adaptation. Anthony Hopkins ("Legends of the Fall," 1994) took home the Academy Award for Best Actor for his chilling portrayal of the man- eating doctor, which was just one of the "Big Five" Oscars the film won that year. He reprised the role in "Hannibal" (2001) and "Man- hunter's" remake, "Red Dragon" (2002), before a younger version of the character was subsequently taken on by French actor Gaspard Ulliel ("Saint Laurent," 2014) in 2007's "Hannibal Rising." The character was deemed the No. 1 movie villain by the American Film Institute in 2003 and one of "En- tertainment Weekly's" 100 Great- est Characters of the Last 20 Years. The role of Hannibal Lecter de- mands a significant talent, and Hopkins, in particular, left some big shoes to fill, but Mads Mikkels- en ("Casino Royale," 2006), who stars as the small-screen Hannibal, hasn't disappointed. Among his numerous accolades, the Danish actor's portrayal has earned him a Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television and an IGN Award nom- ination for Best TV Villain. While the numerous books and films have looked at various stages in the doctor's life — including his imprisonment, his time in Europe as an escapee and his traumatic childhood — the television series gives viewers a look into his previ- ously unexplored period as a working psychiatrist before his capture. "[My approach] was about cover- ing a portion of the story that literally people hadn't seen before," said creator and executive producer Bryan Full- er in a Hit- fix.com in- terview. "We hadn't seen Lecter as a prac- tising psy- chiatrist and a practising cannibal. That felt like it was fresh territo- ry, even though it's so in- trinsic to who the char- acter is. We understand him as this cannibalistic psychiatrist, but we never saw it." The series explores Lecter's complicated re- lationship with FBI special investigator Will Graham (Hugh Dancy, "Black Hawk Down," 2001), who, as those familiar with the books and mov- ies will know, is the man responsi- ble for finally putting Lecter be- hind bars. Season 2's gory finale saw Lecter jam a linoleum knife into Graham — who, over the course of the series, has come to learn what the well-spoken, highly sophisticated doctor really is — and flee to France with his psycho- therapist, Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier (Gillian Anderson, "The Fall"). The upcoming season will see the two doctors forging new identities in Europe, living as husband and wife, with Graham in hot (or as hot as a gravely wounded man can manage) pursuit. Dr. Du Maurier is a rarity in that she's one of the few characters that was developed specifically for the television series, but the ma- jority of "Hannibal's" characters are pulled straight from the books. Among them are the head of the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit, Jack Crawford, played by prolific actor Laurence Fishburne ("The Matrix," 1999); the inept Dr. Fred- erick Chilton (Raúl Esparza, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"); and sadistic rich boy Mason Verg- er, previously played by Michael Pitt ("Seven Psychopaths," 2012) and, as of season 3, by Joe Ander- son ("The River"). If you're ques- tioning the difference in the two actors' appearances, don't worry about it. Verger has a whole new face this season after — ahem — removing a good portion of his original one, and it ain't pretty. Season 3 will include the addi- tion of some new cast members, also taken from the books. Richard Armitage ("The Hobbit" trilogy) joins the cast as serial killer Fran- cis Dolarhyde, a.k.a. The Tooth Fairy, the primary antagonist in "Red Dragon." "True Blood's" Ru- tina Wesley will play his love inter- est, Reba McClane, and Tao Oka- moto ("The Wolverine," 2013) will play Chiyo, the handmaiden of Lecter's aunt, whom readers will recall from "Hannibal Rising." Since last season's cliffhanger, "Hannibal" fans have been wait- ing with bated breath to see what's become of the various characters left bleeding out on the floor. The wait's nearly over as a new bloody season is about to be- gin. Don't miss the season 3 pre- miere of "Hannibal" when it airs Thursday, June 4, on NBC. Mads Mikkelsen as seen in "Hannibal" What's cooking? 'Hannibal' is back after last season's thrilling finale Cover Story this week 501 W Washington St, Brainerd | Ph: 218-828-1823 Free Pick Up & Delivery or Loaner Cars Available. We Can Do That! IS YOUR VEHICLE READY FOR THE SUMMER HEAT? 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