For months now we've been hearing all about NBC's straight-to-series 'Hannibal,' a new take on the classic Thomas Harris characters of Dr. Hannibal Lecter and Will Graham helmed by 'Pushing Daisies' creator Bryan Fuller. In the time NBC initially declined to set a premiere date, the series has amassed an impressive cast for regular and recurring roles alike, but when will we finally see the premiere? Break out the Chianti and guard your livers, because 'Hannibal' will arrive on NBC Thursday, April 4!

Despite earlier suggestions from NBC brass that the buzz-worthy 'Hannibal' might make for a good summer series, or perhaps debut around May, the peacock has officially slotted its first appointment with the good Dr. Lecter for Thursday, April 4. Having bypassed the pilot stage, 'Hannibal's first season will unfold through the early spring and summer over 10 episodes.

In addition to its title character played by Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy's Will Graham, 'Hannibal' boasts appearances from ‘Dead Like Me’s' Ellen Muth, Lance Henriksen and ‘The X-Files’ star Gillian Anderson, Laurence Fishburne and spouse Gina Torres playing Jack Crawford and his wife, ‘Veep‘ star Anna Chlumsky, comedian Eddie Izzard, ‘SNL‘ alum Molly Shannon, ‘Pushing Daisies’ vet Ellen Greene, ‘Wonderfalls’ star Chelan Simmons, Lara Jean Chorostecki as a female interpretation of ‘Red Dragon’ character Freddy Lounds, and Raul Esparza as Dr. Frederick Chilton.

Set in the early days of Will Graham and Lecter’s partnership, Fuller’s envisioned series is said to be “a love story” told across at least seven seasons.

Will Graham is a gifted criminal profiler who is on the hunt for a serial killer with the FBI. Graham’s unique way of thinking gives him the astonishing ability to empathize with anyone – even psychopaths. He seems to know what makes them tick. But when the mind of the twisted killer he’s pursuing is too complicated for even Will to comprehend, he enlists the help of Dr. Lecter, one of the premier psychiatric minds in the country. Armed with the uncanny expertise of the brilliant doctor, Will and Hannibal (known as a serial killer only to the audience) form a brilliant partnership and it seems there’s no villain they can’t catch. If Will only knew…

We'll keep you posted on the latest from 'Hannibal,' but in the meantime clear your calendars for the show's April 4 debut! Tell us what you want to see from the Bryan Fuller series in the comments!

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