One of the most famous killers in the books, next to ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ “Buffalo ‘it-rubs-the-lotion-on-it’s-skin’ Bill,” Dolarhyde has been portrayed twice before on the big-screen by actors Tom Noonan (Michael Mann’s ‘Manhunter’), and Ralph Fiennes (Brett Ratner’s ‘Red Dragon’). And now British actor Richard Armitage will be next in line to portray the iconic role in NBC’s hit series ‘Hannibal’. The news was confirmed via a tweet by the network NBC: “Francis Dolarhyde is going to be a real *Thorin* Hannibal’s side. Ok… we’ll stop.” The joke obviously referring to the actors previous role as Thorin in Peter Jackson’s ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy. Armitage also recently starred in disaster thriller ‘Into the Storm’.
While season three isn’t expected to play out the “Red Dragon” storyline as that is expected to occur in season four according to creator Bryan Fuller’s plans, it is thought that Dolarhyde will merely be introduced into the TV serious this year (Fullar mentioned at the San Diego Comic-Con last year, that Dolarhyde would be coming to Season 3, with plans to debut in Episode 8).
Fuller also stated that the Marlowe murders Will Graham was using as a teaching tool in the pilot episode were actually the Dolarhyde home invasion murders. So bringing Dolarhyde back into the latter half of season 3 will reaffirm to viewers that the show is still sitting on that storyline and that it hasn’t been chucked.
What do you think of the casting choice? Do you think Armitage will be good in the role of the sadistic serial killer Francis Dolarhyde?
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