·         Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelson and Laurence Fishburne to star

·         Supporting guest roles from Gillian Anderson and Eddie Izzard

·         Showrunner Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies, Heroes) to write and executive-produce

 

"What we have is Alfred Hitchcock's principle of suspense. Show the audience the bomb under the table and let them sweat when it's going to go boom.”

Bryan Fuller on “Hannibal”

 

To view official trailer click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ALY6fjCOZg

London: February 25^th 2013:

Sky Living HD today announces its acquisition of the US psychological thriller “Hannibal”in an exclusive deal with Gaumont International Television that will further bolster the channel’s impressive US drama offering and play a key part in bringing more exclusive, high quality programmes to its customers.

Debuting in the US on NBC on April 4th, followed swiftly by its UK premiere on Sky Living, “Hannibal” (13 x 60) has been penned by show runner Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daises, Heroes) and is loosely based upon the characters from Thomas Harris’ classic novel Red Dragon. It will explore the budding relationship between Dr. Hannibal Lecter, the renowned and deadly psychiatrist as he mentors his patient, Will Graham, a young FBI criminal profiler, who is haunted by his ability to empathise with serial killers.

“Hannibal”, which is also airing on the AXN channel globally, is one of the most eagerly awaited contemporary dramas this year. Already generating huge buzz worldwide among both fans and industry insiders, it stars Danish actor Mads Mikkelson (The Hunt, Casino Royale) as the infamous cannibal psychiatrist-turned-serial killer, British actor Hugh Dancy (The Big C, Hysteria, Martha Marcy May Marlene) as FBI agent Will Graham and Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix, CSI, Man of Steel) as head of the FBI’s behavourial sciences unit, Jack Crawford. Supporting roles include Gillian Anderson as Lecter’s therapist and Eddie Izzard who will play an inmate at the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, the very same facility where Lecter is eventually incarcerated.

Will Graham is a gifted criminal profiler who, with the FBI, is on the hunt for a serial killer. Graham’s unique way of thinking gives him the astonishing ability to empathise with anyone – even psychopaths. He always seems to understand what makes them tick. But when the mind of the twisted killer he’s pursuing gets too complicated for even Will to comprehend, he enlists the help of Dr. Lecter, one of the premier psychiatric minds in the country. Armed with the uncanny expertise of the brilliant doctor, Will and Hannibal form a brilliant partnership and it seems there’s no villain they can’t catch. If Will only knew his new partner may turn out to be the one he is hunting…

The deal was brokered by Sky’s Acquisitions Manager Louisa Forsyth, and Erik Pack, Head of International Distribution & Co-production, Gaumont International Television.

Commenting on the acquisition, Director of Sky Living Antonia Hurford-Jones said. “We are delighted to be adding “Hannibal” to our line-up of quality US drama on Sky Living. We know this is something our customers really love and we are committed to bringing them the best the US has to offer. This series is perfect for Sky Living because it will appeal not only our core female audience, but to a shared one too.  Plus it will complement our new original commissions which are starting to come through.”

Erik Pack added, “Hannibal Lecter is known the world over and Sky Living is the perfect broadcaster to be offering this highly anticipated series, with its stellar cast and intriguing storyline, to the UK viewing audience.”

Ends.

For more information please contact:

Jakki Lewis
PR Manager Sky Living

Jakki.lewis@bskyb.com / +44 207 032 1494

 

Rowan Adams
Senior Publicist

Rowan.adams@bskyb.com / +44 207 032 3078

 

About Sky

Sky is the UK and Ireland’s leading home entertainment and communications company.  Around 40% of all homes have a direct relationship with Sky through its range of TV, broadband and home telephony services.

Sky is the UK’s biggest investor in television content, investing more than £2.3 billion a year in channels such as Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living, Sky Arts, Sky Sports, Sky Movies and Sky News.   Around two-thirds of Sky’s content spend is invested in the UK and Sky is the fastest-growing source of investment in original British programmes.  More than 30 million people watch Sky content each week.

Alongside its commitment to offering customers a greater choice of high-quality content, Sky is a leading innovator.  Customers enjoy total control and flexibility over their favourite TV through Sky+, watch TV on the move through Sky Go, and enjoy the best quality TV experience at home through High Definition and 3D.  

Sky distributes its content broadly over several platforms, including satellite, cable, IPTV, mobile and WiFi.  NOW TV, Sky’s second consumer brand, builds on the company’s leadership in internet TV.  Sky is also the UK's fastest-growing home communications company and favourite ‘triple-play’ provider of TV, broadband and home phone.

Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates by taking positive action on the environment, supporting grassroots sports and increasing access to, and participation in, the arts.  Sky employs 23,000 people, has annual revenues of £6.8 billion and is estimated to support a £5.4 billion contribution to UK GDP.  Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (BSY).  www.sky.com/corporate

 

About Gaumont International Television

Gaumont International Television is the recently launched production and distribution studio based in Los Angeles and part of Gaumont, the legendary European-based motion picture studio. Gaumont, formed in 1895, is one of the main European production companies with a film library holding over 900 titles. As an independent studio, Gaumont International Television is producing high-quality drama and comedy television programming for the U.S. and international markets with a number of projects currently in the works, including “Hannibal” for NBC, “Hemlock Grove” for Netflix and “Barbarella” for Canal Plus.

For further information please contact

Jakki Lewis - Publicity Manager, Sky Living HD
T: 020 7032 1494
E: jakki.lewis@bskyb.com

Rowan Adams - Senior Publicist, Sky1 HD, Sky Living HD
T: 020 7032 3078
E: rowan.adams@bskyb.com