There’s no denying that Michael Pitt (Bully, Funny Games) is a talented actor.  And it looks like he will be making a splash this year on TV, with a major role on NBC’s gruesome thriller Hannibal, according to Entertainment Weekly.

Pitt is signed on to play the character of Mason Verger, the unstable wealthy patient of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, who is well known amongst horror fans that have seen the 2001 film Hannibal as the psychopath who cuts off his own face.  He was played in the movie by the great Gary Oldman.

The upcoming Second Season finds FBI profiler Will Graham in prison, falsely convicted for Lecter’s crimes, while the doctor advises the agency on cases.  Other guest stars in this season include the return of Gillian Anderson as Hannibal’s shrink.  Hannibal returns to TV February 28th.

I couldn’t be happier about the casting decisions for this upcoming season, but now I need to catch up on the episodes that I missed last season.  Between Bates Motel and Hannibal, horror fans will get to know more about our two favorite psychotic serial killers, Hannibal Lector and Norman Bates.

Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly