Scariest and Most Fascinatingly Twisted Character on TV Today

A "reimagination" of the "Red Dragon" by Thomas Harris is now on TV. When I first heard about the show, I was curious about this new version of Dr. Hannibal Lecter. How can they surpass or even match such an iconic role portrayed by Anthony Hopkins on film? When you've seen the best, somehow it's difficult to imagine anyone that can be as legendary. Still I was curious but ready to find a substandard version as I always do when something is translated from film to television.

I was ready to be disappointed but found myself fascinated, intrigued, and entertained. Dr. Hannibal Lecter is played by Mads Dittmann Mikkelsen. His portrayal of a reputable forensic psychiatrist with a keen eye for elegant things like wine, cuisine, and art is hauntingly menacing and compelling at the same time. His facial features, tone of voice, peculiar accent, and overall strangeness are chilling but beguiling. He draws you in with his cultured and comforting demeanor while the anticipation of horror is lurking at the smooth edges of his persona. It is just the right recipe of dread and appeal portrayed in a unique and enthralling character, delivered most expertly by Mikkelsen.

I'm certainly hooked! The show just ended their first season this week, and I have four more episodes to see before the twisted season finale. NBC renews Hannibal for season 2. And yes, that's nothing surprising for such a new awesome show and a character to watch out for.