While it may or may not be as good as a continuation of the "Hannibal" series (all a matter of preference, of course), We've learned today (via Variety) that CBS has given the green light to a sequel series based on Thomas Harris' classic The Silence of the Lambs, simply titled "Clarice".
"Set in 1993, a year after the events of The Silence of the Lambs, the show is a deep dive into the untold personal story of Starling as she returns to the field to pursue serial murderers and sexual predators while navigating the high stakes political world of Washington, D.C."
Deadline also provides a little history lesson on the character. "Clarice grew up in West Virginia until she was 10, when her father, a police officer, was shot and killed. She moves to her uncle’s farm in Montana, but later runs away and winds up in an orphanage. After college, she applies to the FBI academy."
The series comes to us from writers and executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Jenny Lumet, and has already received a big series commitment. A pilot script has already been written, with the intention to go to series. The pilot is set to be filmed this season and a decision on a series order will be made shortly afterwards.
"After more than 20 years of silence, we’re privileged to give voice to one of America’s most enduring heroes – Clarice Starling," said Kurtzman and Lumet. "Clarice’s bravery and complexity have always lit the way, even as her personal story remained in the dark. But hers is the very story we need today: her struggle, her resilience, her victory. Her time is now, and always."
"Clarice" is produced by MGM, which owns the rights to the Hannibal franchise, and CBS Television Studios in association with Kurtzman’s CBS Studios-based Secret Hideout.