Joe Anderson replaces Michael Pitt in NBC’s Hannibal

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

The cast of NBC’s “Hannibal” is going to look slightly different once Season 3 rolls around as TV Line is reporting that Michael Pitt has left the show and will be replaced by Joe Anderson in the iconic role as the sociopathic meat-packing magnate Mason Verger. While there is no word on why Pitt is out, sources say that the decision to leave the show was his own.

If you aren’t caught up to the show just yet, you’re about to enter SPOILER territory, so read on at your own risk. While losing a talented actor like Pitt is never a good thing, there is somewhat of a silver lining here. The recast comes at a fairly convenient time in Mason’s story arc: When we last saw him, he was under the influence of Dr. Lecter’s hallucinogenic drugs, and being led by the titular serial killer to carve off chunks of his own face to feed to himself and nemesis Will Graham’s dogs.

Back in October, the site also reported that Season 3 of "Hannibal" will introduce a new recurring character named Cordell, the “quiet, very intelligent and definitely creepy” personal doctor to Mason. The character is described as “attentive and gentle with Mason, a professional who cares about his work, but we get a sense he might be as sadistic as his boss — and a perfect fit to become his potential henchman.”

Anderson, who will now play Verger, posted the below photo of himself in character. It’s pretty cool, I must say.