10 Greatest Villain Introductions In TV History
4. Hannibal Lecter - Hannibal
Living up to Anthony Hopkins' Oscar-winning performance as Hannibal Lecter was no mean feat, but dammit, Mads Mikkelsen pulled it off, the absolute madman.
Mikkelsen played Lecter throughout each of the Hannibal series' three seasons, and his first appearance alone obliterated most any doubt about him measuring up to Hopkins' portrayal.
In the first episode, BSU Special Agent Jack Crawford (Laurence Fishburne) visits Dr. Lecter to have him consult on a case, and the first 30-second glimpse we get of the man basically tells us everything we need to know about him.
Before Crawford shows up, Lecter is introduced in a gorgeously shot scene as he eats dinner alone while listening to Bach. Mikkelsen says nothing but stares into the camera as he eats, proving that the man is basically screen presence distilled.
Without saying anything at all, Hannibal has the audience transfixed - his hypnotic gaze and even the deliberate, composed way he eats his meal assures them they're in for something special.