First Look At Mads Mikkelsen As NBC's 'Hannibal'

Anthony Hopkins may be the most famous Hannibal Lecter of all, but he’s far from the only one. There isn't much these days on  network television in general to get excited about, which is what makes the prospect of "Hannibal" all the more intriguing. The first thing that draws your attention right away is the casting of the excellent Mads Mikkelsen  in the title role. Next is the news that the movie would actually take place before he becomes a convicted killer, with a first season that would run a compact thirteen episodes. Essentially, it looks like there is a distinct vision for this effort, and now the first look at Mikkelsen dining on something -- perhaps human? -- has emerged,  Hugh Dancy co-stars as Lecter's FBI partner, with the show set to chronicle their crime-solving partnership. 

Laurence Fishburne plays their boss, with Scott Thompson of "Kids In The Hall" fame  also on board as part of the FBI unit. 

David Slade directed the pilot, but no word yet on when the series will debut. But given the half-season, it's expected it to pop up in early 2013, perhaps with the finale to air during sweeps.

In the months to come, we’ll be getting info.

So how does Mikkelsen  stack up? See for yourself in a new batch of photos from the set.