‘Hannibal’ Season 3 Sets June Premiere Date With First Photo

Fans of Bryan Fuller’s NBC Hannibal had an understandable tummy grumble when Season 3 ended up pushed to summer 2015, but at last we know when the third course will be served. NBC has officially announced a June premiere date for Hannibal Season 3, whetting appetites with a new photo of the culinary cannibal on a boss hog.

Hannibal Season 3 has officially set a Thursday, June 4 premiere date, despite the Bryan Fuller series’ usual predilection to bow in the first quarter, or air on Fridays. Included with the announcement was a slick new photo of Dr. Lecter riding a motorcycle in his new life on the lam, a far cry from his usual dapper appearance.

Most recently adding Zachary Quinto and True Detective‘s Glenn Fleshler as Cordell, personal physician to Mason Verger (Joe Anderson, replacing Michael Pitt), we also know of Hannibal Season 3 that Gillian Anderson has been upgraded to series regular, following Season 2 finale bloodbath “Mizumono.” The Hobbit star Richard Armitage, True Blood vet Rutina Wesley and Nina Arianda will play Red Dragon characters Francis Dolarhyde, Reba McClane and Molly, respectively, while Raul Esparza will return to the role of Dr. Frederick Chilton, and Eddie Izzard could return to the role of the late Dr. Abel Gideon as well.

The new season will pick up sometime later with Hannibal and Bedelia’s new life on the lam, also incorporating such other literary Thomas Harris figures as Hannibal novel character Inspector Rinaldo Pazzi. Additionally, Batman vs. Superman and The Wolverine star Tao Okamoto has been confirmed to play the role of Hannibal’s “aunt” Lady Murasaki (or her attendant “Chiyo,” it’s a bit confusing).

We’ve included NBC’s HannibalSeason 3 trailer again above, so start your countdowns to the good doctor’s June 4 return!