David Tennant Was Almost Cast as Hannibal Instead of Mads Mikkelsen

The role of Tenth Doctor in Doctor Who basically opened all doors for David Tennant — even the most unexpected ones.

For example, did you know that Tennant was the alternative choice for the role of Hannibal Lecter in the iconic series (which ended up being led by Mads Mikkelsen )?

Well, yep: it turns out that Bryan Fuller, the NBC series creator, still remembers Tennant's performance at the audition and thinks about what could be.

"There was a levity to David’s performance in some ways that was an interesting contrast to Mads’ sobriety in the role. And I find David to be so much fun and so appealing to watch. It’s hard not to love David Tennant onscreen. And that may have had something to do with it. Honestly, it was a decision that was made above my pay grade," Fuller told Rolling Stone.

Well, if so, what on Earth did go wrong? Not surprisingly, it was about Mads Mikkelsen being the actual perfect choice: not only Fuller wanted him to take the role, but also the director and Hugh Dancy, the actor behind the role of Will.

However, NBC "was trying to kind of counter-cast, in a way," offering various people for the job, from Hugh Grant to John Cusack. But even though everyone agreed that Mikkelsen was the perfect choice after all, both Fuller and Tennant agree that the latter would nail the Lecter role.

Still, Tennant remains humble.

“I met Bryan Fuller a couple of times, and we talked about it,” Tennant shared with EW back in 2018. “But I think they quite wisely chose Mads Mikkelsen, I think he was a perfect choice for it, and I think he did things with that character that I wouldn’t have managed, so I think the right man got the job.”

All is well that ends well (even though many Hannibal fans would beg to differ). If you miss Hannibal and its creepily enchanting vibes, feel free to stream the series on Hulu Plus.

Source: Rolling Stone, EW