Lifetime Develops 'Clarice' While NBC Preps 'Hannibal'

Lifetime is continuing its role as the home of programs featuring women in very strong roles. The latest show on their slate of series in development is Clarice, the character first brought to America's consciousness in The Silence of the Lambs.

The highly successful theatrical film starred Jodie Foster in the unforgettable role of Clarice Starling, a young FBI Agent brought face to face with Hannibal Lecter, one of the scariest characters ever to be portrayed on screen. A followup was made a decade later in which Julianne Moore took over the prime role of Clarice.

The new series would take place before the movies, which means the Lecter character would not have a role in the story, at least not initially. Instead, the stories will focus on Clarice's activities right after she graduates from the FBI Academy.

As of yet, no one has been tapped to play the lead role in Clarice.

Meanwhile, NBC is prepping Hannibal, a series of 13 episodes that will star Hugh Dancy as FBI Agent Will Graham.

Bryan Fuller is writing and executive producing the series. The inspiration and timing of the hour-long series will be during the novel, Red Dragon by Thomas Harris. As are the movies, it is categorized as a contemporary thriller. As yet, the role of Hannibal has not been cast.