Leading action and adventure channel AXN recently released behind the scenes images of the small screen adaptation of "Hannibal."

“Hannibal,” one of the most anticipated new TV dramas slated for the summer, may be airing on AXN sooner than expected.

One of history’s most fascinating literary characters comes to life on television for the first time: psychiatrist-turned-serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter. In this new drama from Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies, Heroes), based on the characters from Thomas Harris’ classic novel Red Dragon, we see where this incredible story began.

Will Graham is a gifted criminal profiler who, with the FBI, is on the hunt for a serial killer. Graham’s unique way of thinking gives him the astonishing ability to empathize with anyone – even psychopaths. He always seems to understand what makes them tick. But when the mind of the twisted killer he’s pursuing gets too complicated for even Will to comprehend, he enlists the help of Dr. Lecter, one of the premier psychiatric minds in the country.

Armed with the uncanny expertise of the brilliant doctor, Will and Hannibal (known as a serial killer only to the audience) form a brilliant partnership and it seems there’s no villain they can’t catch. If Will only knew his new partner may turn out to be the one he is hunting…

Starring British actor Hugh Dancy (Black Hawk Down, Elizabeth), Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale, Clash of the Titans), Gillian Anderson (X-Files) and Laurence Fishburne (CSI), “Hannibal” will breathe new life into a deadly classic.