Actors Considered for NBC’s Hannibal Before Mads Mikkelsen’s Casting

It’s almost impossible to picture anyone besides Mads Mikkelsen portraying Dr. Hannibal Lecter in NBC’s “Hannibal.” He fully embodies the show’s version of the character, portraying a Machiavellian manipulator with an obscene wealth of knowledge, an impeccable sense of style, and a penchant for eating people. His chemistry with co-stars, especially Hugh Dancy as empath and criminal profiler Will Graham, is undeniable. However, during the development phase, NBC and series creator Bryan Fuller considered several different actors before finally settling on Mikkelsen.

Fuller has revealed in interviews that he had to fight to get Mikkelsen cast because the network wanted someone “more mainstream” than the Danish actor, known primarily to American audiences as the villain Le Chiffre from “Casino Royale.” Thankfully, Fuller prevailed, and the result was the casting of Dancy and Mikkelsen as the leads. Some of the other options would have changed the series entirely.

In an interview with Collider, Fuller explained that NBC initially wanted a mainstream draw for the role of Hannibal Lecter, aiming to capture a wide audience. Their top pick was John Cusack, known for his roles in “High Fidelity” and “Say Anything.” Cusack, who had transitioned from comedy to horror with films like “Identity” and “1408,” was seen as a surprising choice. However, it is tough to imagine him pulling off the suave and collected Hannibal of the series.

Cusack has the charisma and confidence needed for Hannibal but often excels in roles where he plays a neurotic and self-effacing character — traits that don’t fit the refined serial killer. The network’s next option might have been even less fitting…

Fuller said he had to continually negotiate with the network, even after deciding on Mikkelsen in his heart. The network also considered Hugh Grant, a British actor famous for his roles in romances and romantic comedies. While Grant has since ventured into more character acting, imagining him as Hannibal is even harder than Cusack. Though he might look great in paisley and plaid, he lacks the otherworldly eccentricity that Mikkelsen brings to the role. (We’ll see if Grant can be truly terrifying in the upcoming “Heretic.”)

After several months of casting Dancy, Fuller described a “carousel” of offers to Grant and Cusack, which led nowhere, while he pleaded for Mads. Finally, one NBC executive, Jennifer Salke, relented:

“Finally I just said, ‘Mads is the guy, that’s the guy I see in the role and I have to write it and I have to champion it and I have to understand it,’ and Jennifer Salke at NBC, bless her heart, was like, ‘Okay, that’s your guy. I believe you and trust you and I’m excited about your vision for the show.'”

Fortunately, Salke saw the vision, but there was another contender: David Tennant.

Mikkelsen was perfect for Hannibal Lecter, but “Doctor Who” star David Tennant was also a serious contender. Tennant met with Fuller to discuss the role, and Fuller praised Tennant’s versatility and appeal. However, he felt Tennant’s performance would have introduced a levity that contrasted with Mikkelsen’s sobriety in the role. Fuller shared:

“There was a levity to David’s performance in some ways that was an interesting contrast to Mads’ sobriety in the role. And I find David to be so much fun and so appealing to watch. It’s hard not to love David Tennant onscreen. And that may have had something to do with it. Honestly, it was a decision that was made above my pay grade. But that would have been an interesting extrapolation to see David Tennant as Hannibal.”

Fans of Tennant, especially those who know him as a cheerful Time Lord, may struggle to picture him as the human-hungry Hannibal. However, his roles in “Good Omens” and the “Fright Night” remake demonstrate his capacity to play slightly scarier roles. Tennant would have been an interesting choice for Hannibal, but no one could replace Mikkelsen’s portrayal in those three perfect seasons.