Mads Mikkelsen has been given the honor of taking on the role as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the new NBC television series, "Hannibal."

As Anthony Hopkins won his first Oscar playing the mastermind cannibalistic serial killer in the 1991 feature film, "Silence of the Lambs," NBC has decided to recreate the experience with a television series.

According to TV Guide, the show will be categorized as a "contemporary thriller," and will feature other characters from the novel "Red Dragon," by Thomas Harris.

NBC has ordered 13-episodes for "Hannibal," which will debut mid-season, marking the U.S. TV debut for Mikkelsen.

Mikkelsen, who just won the best actor prize at the Cannes Film Festival for "The Hunt," is best known for his role as Le Chiffre in "Casino Royale," and also just landed the villain role in the second installment of "Thor."

The original "Silence of the Lambs," directed by Jonathan Demme, centers around  a young FBI agent (Jodie Foster) who must earn the trust of an incarcerated and manipulative killer in order to receive his help in catching another serial killer who cannibalizes his victims.

The film grossed $272 million and won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Actress (Jodie Foster), Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins), Best Director (Jonathan Demme), and Best Adapted Screenplay.

"Silence of the Lambs," is only the third film to have ever won Oscars in all the top five categories

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