Gillian Anderson's Hannibal Role Available

Gillian Anderson's performance as Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier is cited as a standout reason to watch NBC's psychological thriller Hannibal. The series, which ran for three seasons from 2013 to 2015, is currently available for streaming on both Netflix and Prime Video.

Based on characters from Thomas Harris's novels Red Dragon, Hannibal, and Hannibal Rising, the show starred Mads Mikkelsen as Hannibal Lecter and Hugh Dancy as Will Graham. It developed a dedicated following despite its surprisingly bloody content for primetime network television. Creator Bryan Fuller has expressed a desire to revisit the world in the decade since its cancellation, with Mikkelsen stating one condition for a potential fourth season. Anderson could be among the cast members to return.

Bedelia Du Maurier's Pivotal Role

Anderson joined the cast halfway through the first season. Her character, Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier, was Hannibal Lecter's psychiatrist. The complex relationship between the two became a central pillar of the story. Bedelia evolved into one of the series' most important characters, arguably second only to Will Graham in significance to Hannibal.

Anderson reflected on the role in an interview with Vanity Fair. She noted she was initially hired for just three episodes. "I was just gonna come in and do three episodes in the first season, ended up doing a few episodes of the second season, and then did the third season," Anderson said. She described the pleasure of playing an "enigmatic, odd, sexy, possibly complicit" character whose direction was often a surprise with each new script.

Creator Bryan Fuller told Den of Geek that the dynamic was intentionally crafted. "You have this icy, sexy woman across from this icy sexy man and there’s a vibration that happens between them that is really rich and exciting to watch," Fuller said. Anderson ultimately appeared in 22 of the show's 39 episodes.

An Original Creation For Television

Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier was an original character created for the television adaptation, not drawn from Thomas Harris's source material. This departure from the books is presented as a successful exception. The character fit seamlessly into the dark ensemble.

Thomas Harris, the author, is described as notoriously reclusive. In a rare 2019 interview with The New York Times, he reportedly stated he had not yet watched the NBC show but intended to binge-watch it when time allowed. Fuller originally envisioned an older actress for the role of Bedelia but praised Anderson's performance after casting her.

The series finale left Bedelia's fate ambiguous. A post-credits sequence gave her character a particular spotlight. Whether the show returns or not, Anderson's three-season arc is positioned as a key part of the series' legacy as must-see television.