NBC Finds Its Hannibal in Bond Villain Mads Mikkelsen

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Mads Mikkelsen

NBC has found its Hannibal Lecter in Mads Mikkelsen.

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The Copenhagen-born actor has been tapped to play the title role in the network's Bryan Fuller drama series, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

Mikkelsen, who took home the best actor award at the Cannes Film Festival last month for Thomas Vinterberg's The Hunt, will play the psychiatrist-turned-serial killer in the 13-episode series from the creator of Pushing Daisies.

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Based on the characters in Thomas Harris' novels, the series stars Hugh Dancy (The Big C) as Will Graham, the criminal profiler who is on the hunt for a serial killer with the FBI and enlists Dr. Lecter's help with the case.

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Fuller will write and executive produce alongside Martha De Laurentiis (Red Dragon and the big-screen feature Hannibal), Sara Colleton (Showtime's Dexter), Jesse Alexander (Lost) and Katie O'Connell. David Slade will direct and exec produce the NBC-Gaumont International Television co-production.

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In addition to The Hunt, Mikkelsen's credits include playing the villain in the James Bond feature Casino Royale and The Three Musketeers. His upcoming credits include Thor 2.

Mikkelsen is repped by UTA and Art Management in Denmark.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit