Hugh Dancy and Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen have been cast in Pushing Daisies showrunner Bryan Fuller’s Hannibal series, which has been optioned by NBC.

BBC reports that Mads (pronounced “Mass”) Mikkelsen has been cast as Hannibal Lecter, while Hugh Dancy will play FBI agent William Graham, for which production will begin next month.

The pilot is to be directed by David Slade.

Based on the Thomas Harris series, Hannibal will follow the cannibal serial killer during the early stages of his relationship with his FBI profiler, Graham.

Mikkelsen, best known for his roles in King Arthur, Casino Royale and the upcoming A Royal Affair, will follow in the footsteps of Sir Anthony Hopkins, who famously portrayed Hannibal in The Silence of the Lambs.

NBC has picked up the first 13-episode season, which will begin this fall, and WhatCulture has revealed that Fuller has pitched seven seasons of the series.