Watch: Meet Dr. Lecter In First Trailer For 'Hannibal' Starring Mads Mikkelsen

Try as we might, we can’t think of another drama on network television that we’ve been quite so intrigued by for a long while. The great Mads Mikkelsen playing the iconic Dr. Hannibal Lecter alone would have been enough, but we’ve also been encouraged by what producer Bryan Fuller has had to say about the show. “Hannibal” will follow the cable model of a 13-episode first season, with the title character’s murderous nature to be revealed within two seasons – after which the structure of the show would dramatically change (given it gets that far, of course). Fuller apparently pitched a seven-season arc to NBC, which will please viewers who normally have to approach network dramas with a "I know they’re making this up as they go along" approach.

It’s possible that we might have been made to wait a little longer to see "Hannibal," but with NBC canning “Do No Harm” after just two episodes, Fuller’s show will now take over that Thursday 10pm slot when it debuts on April 4th. The pilot, directed by David Slade (“30 Days of Night,” “Hard Candy”), will reintroduce FBI agent Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and Mikkelsen’s Lecter at the beginning of their relationship investigating serial killers for the FBI. Also among the cast are Caroline Dhavernas, Larry Fishburne and Gina Torres.

With the its debut just over a month away, promotion will now kick into gear, and that means that we’ve got our very first trailer for the show. Give it a watch below and see what you think, but it’s fair to say that it hasn’t caused our intrigue to wane. Mikkelsen looks like the perfect choice (he’s surely a big coup for NBC), and we loved the “You will” line in particular. The show certainly promises an interesting dynamic, with the audience well aware of who Lecter really is (kind of like “Dexter”) while those around him are clueless...but the added twist of course is that the audience also know it’s only a matter of time until those around him do find out. This could all come to naught if the show doesn’t fulfill its promise or can’t find an audience, but for now we’re really looking forward to a new show on NBC...and how often have we been able to say that in recent years? [Live For Film/Deadline]