Last year, NBC’s drama Hannibal closed out its freshman season on a note that was so horrifying—and so well scripted—I wasn’t sure how the show would move forward into Season 2. Nonetheless, Hannibal found itself with a second season renewal, with the contracts for leads Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen left intact. If you’ve been dying to see what direction the characters are headed in, you’re in luck. On Sunday, NBC released our first look at Hannibal's new season, which will begin airing on the network this winter.
I’m rarely vociferous about TV trailers, but this one’s a must-watch, giving us an intense look at the episodes to come. The trailer begins with a voiceover from Laurence Fishburne’s Jack Crawford, a man who has seen a lot of murder and darkness in his time. We then see Dancy’s Will Graham behind bars after getting arrested for the murderous acts investigated during Season 1. He proclaims his innocence, declaring Mikkelsen’s Dr. Hannibal Lector to be the real root of evil. Graham’s actually pretty calm when he says, “I am not the intelligent psychopath you are looking for,” but it doesn’t seem to matter. He’s stuck behind bars and people aren’t sure if he’s crazy or the most dangerous man in the room--maybe both. At least he still looks adorable in a jumpsuit.
Of course, we know he’s a little imbalanced, but he’s also a man with incredible vision who didn’t commit the crimes he is being accused of. NBC has set up what looks to be yet another high stakes game of cat and mouse for Season 2. Since Will is behind bars, it looks like Hannibal is taking on a more integral role with the FBI, much to our anticipation. We’ll have to see how this all plays out, but despite Graham’s claims that “a reckoning” is coming, I still get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Unlike many TV trailers, the Hannibal Season 2 sneak peek really gives us a lot of information concerning where the show will be going. Even though the FBI still looks to be investigating murders, Lector hasn't slowed down. He's hiding in plain sight, with poise and control. Additionally, there is a lot of emotionally unhinged beauty in the trailer, as bodies are stacked up and Lector continues to live a very big lie. The sneak peek is intense, but it does give us a lot of hints about what is to come.
Hannibal is finally on the cusp of returning to NBC’s schedule. The new season will begin airing in February, and just like last year, the show will be getting 13 episodes. I know a lot of us would like to see the show on for a larger chunk of the year, but on the bright side, the writing is definitely crisper this way. At least it should continue to be. We can weigh in when the show hits NBC’s schedule on February 28 at 10 p.m. ET.
In the meantime, enjoy the official poster for the season, below.
