Lawrence Fishburne Joins The Cast Of NBC’s ‘Hannibal’

NBC’s new series Hannibal based on Thomas Harris’ novels has already had some big names attached to it. David Slade is set to direct with  Hugh Dancy, and Mads Mikkelsen already among the cast. Now according to Entertainment Weekly they just added another big name to the series. Lawrence Fishburne will be playing FBI Behavioral Sciences Unit Leader Jack Crawford.

Bryan Fuller, who is writing and producing the show, said:

“Laurence Fishburne is an iconic man who has been making his cinematic mark since Apocalypse Now and it’s a thrill not only to work with him but to see such a brilliant, sophisticated actor step into the shoes of Thomas Harris’ brilliant, sophisticated character… I cannot imagine a better cast for Hannibal than the one we’ve assembled.”

Thomas Harris’ novels have already been recreated on the big screen in movies like Silence Of The Lambs, Red Dragon, Hannibal, and Manhunter. The series will explore the early relationship between the renowned psychiatrist and his patient, a young FBI criminal profiler, who is haunted by his ability to empathize with serial killers.

Hannibal is set to premier mid-season on NBC.