After years of dominating Netflix's charts, Hannibal is finding another streaming home on FilmRise. Developed by Dead Like Me's Bryan Fuller, the series acts as an adaptation of Thomas Harris' Hannibal Lecter novels, primarily that of Red Dragon, centering on the unique relationship between the titular forensic psychiatrist/serial killer and tortured FBI criminal profiler Will Graham as they play a deadly game of cat and mouse as the former toys with the damaged psyche of the latter while he solves a variety of disturbing murders.
Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen led the cast for Hannibal alongside Caroline Dhavernas, Hettienne Park, Laurence Fishburne, Scott Thompson, Aaron Abrams, Gillian Anderson, Raúl Esparza, Kacey Rohl, and Lara Jean Chorostecki. Despite garnering rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, Hannibal only ran for three seasons on NBC due to low ratings, going on to be considered a cult classic that had many calling for the show to return after its jaw-dropping series finale.
In honor of the show's new streaming home, Screen Rant got the opportunity to speak with star Caroline Dhavernas to discuss Hannibal, its arrival on FilmRise, its growing cult following in the years since the finale, Alana's evolution through the show, LGBTQ+ representation, a potential season 4, and more.
Dhavernas Reflects on Hannibal
Screen Rant: As someone who fell in love with Hannibal when it first premiered on NBC, it's been wonderful to see the cult following grow throughout the years. How has it felt for you to see the fanbase grow?
Caroline Dhavernas: It is wonderful, of course! When we first start shooting, we are in the dark and hope that what we are creating will resonate. It is always a leap of faith, so when the show is appreciated and loved like Hannibal, it gives meaning to what we do .
Did you expect while making the show that it would be as well-loved as it's gone on to be?
Caroline Dhavernas: Personally, I never think about that when I start shooting. I am focused on what I have to do, I am discovering the world we are sculpting, the people I am working with. If I start thinking or worrying about how it will be perceived, I feel like I am not in the right place.
It's great that part of the following has stemmed from its streaming home of Netflix for the past few years. How do you feel about it now getting a free streaming home?
Caroline Dhavernas: Free art will always be a huge win. In my opinion, in a perfect world, art would always be free!
One of the more interesting elements of the Hannibal fanbase has been the various fan art and fan fiction that has circulated online since. Have you been privy to any of these, and if so, what are your thoughts on it?
Caroline Dhavneras: I am absolutely fascinated by it! The fact that the show has inspired fans to make their own art, to write and extrapolate their own version of what the show could be is more than I could ever hope for, because I know that creating can be a catharsis that enables people to feel whole and happy.
Alana enjoyed a unique character arc through the show, going from being a grounding partner for Will to almost an intellectual rival as she went off the be with the Vergers in season 3. What were some of the joys and challenges of exploring this evolution?
Caroline Dhavernas: I know that Bryan and the writing team made a point of keeping Alana as nuanced and complex as possible, and I am very grateful for that. In season 3, she shifts quickly., and it was a challenge to change gears and make sure the core of Alana was there. Yet at the same time it was so fun to get to bring this poised character to express her anger, her lack of faith and even discover a manipulative streak in her.
Hannibal was also very well-known for pushing a number of boundaries during its run. Was there ever an idea presented to you, be it in the scripts or by Bryan Fuller prior, that you were initially hesitant about?
Caroline Dhavernas: On the contrary, Bryan is receptive to his actors’ comments and input. It is very gratifying. The only moment that felt very bizarre was the sex scene with the Wendigo. His mask kept falling off and, all of a sudden, I would see the face of this man I had barely met. I texted Bryan after and told him it was one of the weirdest moments in my career!
Hannibal has also gone on to be praised for its LGBTQ+ representation with Alana and Margot, namely for being ahead of the time in which many other shows have attempted to normalize said representation. How did it feel at the time of making to explore this, especially given Bryan's own ties to the community?
Caroline Dhavernas: During the recording of an audio commentary in L.A, Bryan mentioned he wanted to create a love interest for Margot Verger in season 3, and I said: “I’ll do it”. Katherine Isabelle is a very cool human, it was easy. At the very beginning of the show, Bryan told me we wanted to make sure the female characters weren’t only the victims, that is why Alan Bloom from the books became Alana Bloom, and why Freddie Lounds became a woman as well.
That is also quite a feminist move from Bryan and I remember loving the fact that he noticed this issue and made bold decisions to make sure the show had strong female characters. The relationship between Hannibal and Will is also very close to a deep love…So yes, on many levels, Bryan was well ahead!
Nearly a decade later, one of the biggest things on fans' minds is the possibility of a Hannibal revival. Would you like to see the show continue, be it with or without Alana in the mix?
Caroline Dhavernas: For sure, there is still so much to tell. I know every time we are asked about it, everyone says they would be on board.
It's near impossible to pick a favorite episode or even season, but do you have any?
Caroline Dhavernas: It is very difficult indeed, the biggest challenge is my own memory! I do have to say dissecting a huge pig with a scalpel and foraging his tummy for a newborn human was quite surreal!
About Hannibal
“Hannibal,” created and written by Bryan Fuller, explores the early relationship between renowned psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) and a young FBI criminal profiler (Hugh Dancy), who is haunted by his ability to empathize with serial killers. The series stars Laurence Fishburne as Jack Crawford and Gillian Anderson as Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier.
Hannibal is streaming for free on the FilmRise app, with no credit cards or passwords required. It’s available on iOS and Android phones, Roku devices, and most major Smart TVs.