NBC has announced season renewals for both “Hannibal” and “About a Boy.” The former series, based on the novels by Thomas Harris, will enter its third season while the latter, based on the novel by Nick Hornby, will enter its second.
Developed for television by Bryan Fuller, who also serves as writer and executive producer, “Hannibal” stars Hugh Dancy as expert criminal profiler Will Graham, who has a unique ability to peer into the mind of serial killers. Mads Mikkelsen stars as Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a psychiatrist who is helping with the cases and, unbeknownst to Will, is also a serial killer himself.
Laurence Fishburne stars as Jack Crawford, the head of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit. Caroline Dhavernas and Hettienne Park also co-star.
In addition to Fuller, Martha De Laurentiis, Jesse Alexander, Chris Brancato, Sara Colleton, Katie O’Connell, Elisa Roth, Sidonie Dumas and Christophe Riandee also serve as executive producers. The series is produced by Gaumont International Television, Dino De Laurentiis Company and Living Dead Guy Productions, and co-commissioned internationally by Sony Pictures Television Networks.
“About a Boy,” meamwhile, stars David Walton as Will Freeman, who lives a charmed existence as the ultimate man-child. After writing a hit song, he was granted a life of free time, free love and freedom from financial woes. He’s single, unemployed and loving it. So imagine his surprise when Fiona (Minnie Driver), a needy, single mom and her oddly charming 11-year-old son Marcus (Benjamin Stockham) move in next door and disrupt his perfect world. When Marcus begins dropping by his home unannounced, Will’s not so sure about being a kid’s new best friend, until, of course, Will discovers that women find single dads irresistible. That changes everything and a deal is struck: Marcus will pretend to be Will’s son and, in return, Marcus is allowed to chill at Will’s house, play ping-pong and gorge on steaks, something his very vegan mom would never allow. Before he realizes it, Will starts to enjoy the visits and even finds himself looking out for the kid. In fact, this newfound friendship may very well teach him a thing or two that he never imagined possible – about himself and caring for others.
Also starring are Al Madrigal and Anjelah N. Johnson-Reyes. Katims, Favreau, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Liza Chasin, Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal serve as executive producers. “About a Boy” is a production of Universal Television, Working Title Films, True Jack Productions and Tribeca Productions.
