Gillian Anderson has been upgraded from recurring guest star to series regular for the third season of NBC’s Hannibal. Her character, Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier, was introduced in episode 7 of the first season and has continued to make infrequent appearances throughout. A formidable mind in her own right, Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier has the gruelling task of being Hannibal Lecter’s psychiatrist. The recent season two finale hinted that Bedelia would play a bigger part and Bryan Fuller confirmed to TV Line that we’ll be seeing much more of her in the forthcoming season.

 "The cast and crew of Hannibal are positively giddy to be welcoming Gillian to season three as a series regular. A striking presence on stage and screen, she brings wit, grace and intelligence to every role she embodies.

Screenwriting is so much easier when you're inspired by a great actor and Gillian has filled the Hannibal writers room with wonderful inspiration. I can't wait for audiences to see her make a bigger meal out of the cannibal than ever before.”

As if that wasn’t enough to get us excited for the next portion of Hannibal, Bryan Fuller also confirmed that the second half of the third season will be based on the events of the Red Dragon book by Thomas Harris. This will be the first of the published material that the TV series has adapted, up until this point Hannibal has served as a loose prequel to the existing films (aside from Hannibal Rising). Last year Fuller revealed that the plan was to start adapting the books from season 4 onwards, perhaps the network are keen to get to the well known material to give the ratings a boost.

I wasn’t sure about Hannibal at first, after all, who can possibly step into the shoes of a character that has become synonymous with acting powerhouse Sir Anthony Hopkins? Mads Mikkelsen that’s who, a brave an bold interpretation of the character, the acclaimed Danish actor gives a hypnotic performance that even Hopkins couldn’t fault.

Hannibal serves up new episodes early next year.