Lifetime Developing Clarice Starling Drama Based on ‘Silence of the Lambs’

In its bid for viewers and buzz, Lifetime is taking a decidedly dark turn.

The femme-skewing cable network is developing a drama centered on the character of Clarice Starling from the 1991 horror thriller The Silence of the Lambs. The project, which hails from MGM, is poised to take place soon after a young Starling graduates from the FBI Academy.

It is a role that garnered Jodie Foster an Academy Award for best actress two decades ago; Julianne Moore took over the young agent part in the 2001 Ridley Scott sequel Hannibal. And it’s in keeping with Lifetime president Nancy Dubuc’s desire to keep the newly rebranded network focused on strong female leads, rather than simply women in peril.

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The news, first reported by TV Guide Magazine, come as NBC is readying Hannibal for its schedule. The 13-episode straight-to-series order, which counts Bryan Fuller as its producer, will center on Dr. Hannibal Lecter and FBI profiler Will Graham.

Email: Lacey.Rose@THR.com; Twitter: @LaceyVRose