Why CBS’ ‘Silence of the Lambs’ Sequel ‘Clarice’ Can’t Mention Hannibal Lecter by Name
Buffalo Bill and Catherine Martin are fair game, and play a large role in the seriesTim Baysinger | February 10, 2021 @ 8:26 AM Last Updated: February 10, 2021 @ 12:32 PM
Brooke Palmer/CBS
CBS’ “Silence of the Lambs” sequel “Clarice” won’t get to mention one of its most famous characters by name because of rights issues.
Despite taking place a year after the events of “Silence of the Lambs,” the CBS series will not mention Hannibal Lecter, the cannibalistic serial killer memorably played by Anthony Hopkins in the 1991 film.
The rights to Thomas Harris’ characters are split between MGM and the Dino De Laurentiis Company. “Clarice” showrunner Elizabeth Klaviter explained that CBS only has the rights for characters introduced in Harris’ 1988 novel “Silence of the Lambs.” Unfortunately, since Lecter’s first appearance came in another Harris