In 1981 Harris published Red Dragon, which introduced us to a character, forensic psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter. This character was elaborated in his following novels, The Silence Of The Lambs(1988) and Hannibal(1999).

All the novels were made into full length feature films starring Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Lecter and all were commercial successes. Harris wrote a prequel Hannibal Rising(2006), which explores the boyhood of Hannibal. The prequel was a flop and great disappointment to fans and critics worldwide.

This series is about the life of Hannibal when he was working with FBI special investigator Will Graham, and the time when he was killing young teenage girls. He was dubbed the Chesapeake Ripper by the media, a name he found exceedingly rude. Hannibal explores the interaction between a exceedingly inhuman character towards normal, human persons.

In the TV series it is revealed to us earlier that Hannibal is the Chesapeake Ripper, and the series main plot-device is what heinous deed will do next...

The series features over the top gore and makeup effects. It also shows Hannibal cutting up human body parts to make his meals, which he then serves to others or eats alone. Hugh Dancy gives a superb performance as Will Graham, as well as Laurence Fishburne who plays Special Agent-in-Charge Jack Crawford. The X-Files star Gillian Anderson has a small role as Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier, who is Lecter's psychotherapist.

The main difference between the Harris novel's and this television series is that the Hannibal portrayed here is an exceedingly evil calculating killer who can strike at any given moment. Plus he also kills persons that are not "rude"(as he calls them). We are able to see for the first time the special gift that Will Graham possesses which is a kind of flashback through the eyes of the person or persons doing the killing. The series ins interspersed with other serial killers besides Dr. Lecter such as Dr. Abel Gideon, a surgeon institutionalized for killing his family, who is led to believe that he is the Chesapeake Ripper by Dr. Chilton. Tobias Budge (Demore Barnes) plays a musician who is secretly a serial killer. Matthew Brown (Jonathan Tucker) plays an orderly who is also a vicious killer.

This Series is a bonus to fans of Thomas Harris. Now you have a lot more to see after you have seen all the previous Lecter films...

Other serial killer movies: The Gray Man(2007), Albert Fish: In Sin He Found Salvation(2007), Citizen X(1995), Evilenko(2004), The Deliberate Stranger(1986), Ted Bundy(2002), The Secret Life: Jeffrey Dahmer (1993), Dahmer (2002), To Catch A Killer (1992), Dear Mr. Gacy (2010) The Boston Strangler (1968), Deranged(1974), Cannibal (2006). These films are based upon the lives of real-life serial killers.

Thanks for reading.