When NBC's HANNIBAL returns for season three this year, another iconic character will be joining the mix. Last year saw the introduction of the faceless Mason Verger (played by Michael Pitt and Joe Anderson) as well as the reveal of who Hannibal Lecter truly is. We will also get to meet the killer who first brought Will Graham and Lecter together in the novel/film RED DRAGON.
TVLine reports that THE HOBBIT's Richard Armitage will join HANNIBAL for a six episode arc as Francis Dollarhyde, better known as The Tooth Fairy. The character of Dollarhyde was previously played by Tom Noonan in Michael Mann's MANHUNTER as well as Ralph Fiennes in Brett Ratner's RED DRAGON. Dollarhyde is known to fans for his elaborate body art and fake teeth as well as serious mommy issues.
Bryan Fuller's HANNIBAL has completely reinvented the Hannibal Lecter mythos to separate itself from THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and it's sequel and prequels. It has also become one of the most divisive series on television thanks to it's unique pacing and haunting visual style. Season two left fans with a powerful cliffhanger that will change everything for the characters in the upcoming run of episodes. With Gillian Anderson being upgraded to series regular, it will be interesting to see where things go from here.
HANNIBAL's third season premiere date has not been announced yet, but expect it to be before summer starts.