The season is produced by Dino de Laurentiis Company, Living Dead Guy Productions, AXN Original Productions, and Gaumont International Television, with Sidonie Dumas, Christophe Riandee, Katie O'Connell, Elisa Todd Ellis, David Slade, Steve Lightfoot, Martha De Laurentiis, and Bryan Fuller serving as executive producers.

[5] The season received acclaim from critics and audiences, praising the performances, writing, character development, cinematography and faithfulness to its source material.

While waiting for Lecter to read through the case file, Graham talks with Alana, where she reveals that she and Margot are still together, and that they have a boy, a Verger heir, which she carried.

Bloom visits Lecter afterward, stating that he does not have Graham's best interest at heart, and warning him that the improvements to his cell are conditional; if he doesn't behave himself, she'll take away his drawings, his books and his toilet.

In a flashback, we see Lecter in a therapy session with Abigail, where he has placed her father's body in a chair, and states that he showed her love by cutting her throat.

They spend the night together at his home, and during sex, he sees her bathed in yellow light, The Woman Clothed in Sun from the William Blake painting.

Du Maurier recalls her session with Neal Frank, where he stipulates that there was something wrong with Lecter, judging by the way in which he ended their relationship.

The scene cuts to Graham's session, where Du Maurier asks him if he thinks he can save Dolarhyde from himself after failing to do so with Lecter.

Du Maurier first tries to clear his airway, but then deliberately shoves her forearm down his throat, suffocating him, after which she lies on the floor, elated.

They promise not to tell Graham, and as they leave, a notice from the FBI asking to immediately report any pet mutilations is shown on the bulletin.

In a session with Du Maurier, Graham reveals his intentions that Lecter not be recaptured, leaving unstated whether that means his death or freedom.

[1] In July 2014, Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment, commented positively on the season's scripts although he said, "we still struggle to find an audience for it.

"[24] He later confirmed that Francis Dolarhyde would make his debut in the eighth episode, which will then allow them to adapt Red Dragon in the fourth season.

[25][26] According to Fuller, the repercussions of the second-season finale would not be revealed on the premiere, which he said would focus on Hannibal Lecter and Bedelia Du Maurier.

[31] In October 2014, Tao Okamoto was announced to play Lady Murasaki, "who possesses an alluring and classical beauty with a dark secret.

[33] The season also introduced Will Graham's wife, Molly, in the eighth episode, with Nina Arianda joining the series in January 2015.

[34][35] Soon, Glenn Fleshler joined to play Dr. Cordell Doemling, "the personal doctor to a disfigured Mason Verger, quiet, very intelligent, and definitely creepy.

"[36] In March 2015, Zachary Quinto was announced to guest star as Neal Frank, "a patient of Bedelia Du Maurier.

"[37] In July 2014, Fuller confirmed that Francis Dolarhyde would make his debut in the eighth episode and serve as the main antagonist of the second half of the season.

[25] In January 2015, Richard Armitage was announced to play Dolarhyde, "a serial killer with a set of chompers that would make the Big Bad Wolf a little envious — and a penchant for targeting entire households for slaughter.

"[38] A few days later, Rutina Wesley joined to play Reba McClane, "a blind woman who catches the eye of Francis Dolarhyde — AKA The Tooth Fairy — and represents his best chance at humanity.

"[39] In December 2014, it was announced that Michael Pitt chose not to return to play Mason Verger, being replaced by Joe Anderson.

[46] Following the series' cancellation, NBC announced that starting with the seventh episode, "Digestivo", the rest of the season would move to Saturdays at 10:00 pm.

[33] In June 2015, Fuller attended the 2015 ATX Television Festival to promote the season and show a sneak peek of the second episode, "Primavera".

The site's consensus reads: "Bryan Fuller serves up another delightfully demented season of Hannibal, featuring a hearty helping of gorgeous gore, paired with a sweet side of twisted humor.

[72] The acting of Mads Mikkelsen and Gillian Anderson was particularly praised, with Bloody Disgusting writing, "Gillian Anderson's performance pushes Mads Mikkelsen in ways never thought possible", while also giving praise to creator and writer Bryan Fuller saying he creates "meticulously detailed scripts that define his characters in completely unpredictable ways".

[74] Jeff Jensen of Entertainment Weekly rated it an "A−" and wrote, "Hannibal remains the most engrossing (and gross) serial-killer drama on television, and the most beautiful.