TV & Radio

Though you shouldn't expect to see the likes of Anthony Hopkins or Jodie Foster this time around, fans of author Thomas Harris' Hannibal Lecter character can feast on two upcoming TV shows.

With the series of horror novels' screen adaptations hitting a brick wall after the frankly rubbish prequel Hannibal Rising in 2007, NBC have plans for an upcoming TV series titled Hannibal, to be based on the character's first novel appearance in Red Dragon.

Rather confusingly, despite its the title the show will be based on Red Dragon adaptations Manhunter (1986) and Red Dragon (2002), not Hannibal, the 1999 sequel to Silence of the Lambs.

To make matters even more confusing, US network Lifetime have just announced plans for another TV show based on Thomas Harris' work - 'Clarice', which will focus on the female investigator played by Jodie Foster and Julianne Moore in Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal respectively.

According to TV Guide, Clarice will bridge the gap between both films, following the experiences of the character after her first meeting with Hannibal Lecter. We're sure that if the ratings start to plummet, the flesh-eating one will quickly make an appearance too.

Though no premiere date has yet been announced for Clarice, Hannibal is set to hit US TV screens this coming Autumn and has already acquired a 13-episode run by impressed TV executives. Let the marketplace confusion begin!