Bedelia Du Maurier

Last updated

Bedelia Du Maurier
Hannibal Lecter character
Bedelia Du Maurier.jpg
Gillian Anderson as Du Maurier
First appearance"Sorbet"
Last appearance"The Wrath of the Lamb"
Created by Bryan Fuller
Portrayed by Gillian Anderson
In-universe information
GenderFemale
Occupation Psychiatrist
Significant other Hannibal Lecter (season 3)
Nationality American

Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier is a fictional character in the TV series Hannibal . Unlike most characters in the stories, Du Maurier is an original creation, and does not appear in Thomas Harris' novels. She is portrayed by Gillian Anderson.

Contents

Character overview

Season 1

Du Maurier is introduced as Hannibal Lecter's (Mads Mikkelsen) psychiatrist and colleague. During their session, she tells him that she believes he is not being completely honest with her and that she has conversations with a version of him; she believes that he wears a "person-suit" or a "human-veil". [1] It is revealed that her decision to retire came as a result of a violent incident involving a patient who was referred to her by Lecter and that this patient died during that attack. [2] She warns Lecter that he must maintain professional boundaries in his relationship with Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and that he might not be able to help him. [3] During a dinner at Du Maurier's house, she warns Lecter to be careful as "they (the FBI) are starting to see your pattern" – suggesting she may be well aware of Lecter's nature. [4]

Season 2

Du Maurier terminates her psychiatrist–patient relationship with Lecter after coming to the conclusion that he is dangerous. She visits Graham in the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane and tells him that she believes that Lecter framed him for murder. Lecter later goes to her house, seemingly to kill her, only to find that she has moved with no forwarding address. [5] Some time later, Jack Crawford (Laurence Fishburne) manages to locate her. Having been granted immunity from prosecution, she admits to having killed Lecter's patient while under Lecter's influence. She warns Graham that Lecter is manipulating him as well. Du Maurier also warns Crawford that if he thinks that he is about to catch Lecter, it is only because Lecter wants him to think that. [6] In a post-credits scene in the season finale, she is seen on a plane with Lecter, whose crimes have been discovered, bound for France. [7]

Season 3

Eight months after fleeing the United States, Du Maurier and Lecter settle in Florence, Italy, where they pose as a married couple under the assumed names Lydia and Roman Fell. [8] By now, she has become complicit in his crimes, standing by as he murders two people who get close to discovering his identity. Lecter even notes that, "technically", she kills one of his victims by removing the ice pick that Lecter had jammed into the side of the man's head. [9] When Crawford and Graham close in on Lecter, Du Maurier informs Lecter that she won't flee Italy with him. To create an alibi for herself, she injects herself with psychotropic drugs to make it appear as if Lecter had been drugging her into submission the whole time. Crawford and Graham question Du Maurier while she is under the influence. The Italian police – bought off by Lecter's surviving victim Mason Verger (Joe Anderson) – interrogate Du Maurier and she informs the lead detective on the case of Lecter's whereabouts to secure her freedom. [10] [11]

Three years later, Du Maurier makes her living from giving lectures on Lecter, presenting a story in which he drugged her into believing she was Lydia Fell. Graham, who is investigating The Tooth Fairy murders, makes an appointment with Du Maurier to discuss Lecter. During the appointment, a flashback reveals how she killed Lecter's patient. Du Maurier had a session with Neal Frank (Zachary Quinto), who accused Lecter of performing cruel experiments on him and accused her of being in league with Lecter. When Frank had a seizure and began choking on his own tongue, she deliberately shoved her entire forearm down his throat, suffocating him to death. [12] Du Maurier justified what she did to Neal Frank by explaining to Will that when she witnesses that someone or something is vulnerable and in urgent need, rather than an act of compassion, her first thought is of an act of violence, arising out of a primal rejection of weakness which she considers to be both natural and instinctual. After The Tooth Fairy burns and disfigures Frederick Chilton (Raúl Esparza), Du Maurier suggests that Graham deliberately put Chilton in danger because he disliked him. [13]

In the series finale, "The Wrath of the Lamb", Graham consults with Du Maurier on a plan to bait The Tooth Fairy, Francis Dolarhyde (Richard Armitage), by allowing Lecter to escape police custody. Du Maurier is horrified, believing that Lecter will kill her and everyone else if freed. She is last seen in a post-credits scene, sitting alone at a beautifully set dinner table and obviously under heavy sedation caused, most likely, by the same psychotropic drugs that she used upon herself in Italy. Du Maurier remains seated, the very picture of elegance, with her hair perfectly coiffed and wearing a luxurious gown, all while the entrée, her impeccably prepared leg, is plated in front of her as the table’s centerpiece; in a similar manner to Lecter's victim Abel Gideon (Eddie Izzard). As the scene ends, Du Maurier takes the table's carving fork and hides it in her lap. As the camera zooms out, it is revealed that not only is the table set for three but it is also located in the same room of her home where she once conducted therapy sessions with Hannibal and where she killed her patient, Neal Frank. [14]

Etymology

Bryan Fuller stated in an interview with The A.V. Club that he was inspired to name the character "Bedelia" after a character in Creepshow , and because it has "a classic, old-world style to it". Fuller, an Alfred Hitchcock fan, said that he named character "Du Maurier" after Daphne du Maurier, the author of Rebecca and "The Birds". [15]

Conception

The original intention was to cast an older actress, with Angela Lansbury the first choice for the part. When schedule conflicts prevented the hiring of Lansbury, Fuller decided on rewriting the character for a younger actress (Gillian Anderson). After the airing of the second episode of season two, in which Du Maurier outsmarts Lecter, Fuller tweeted "Bedelia is the smartest character on the show". [16]

On the decision to extend Du Maurier's character in season 3, Fuller said "The cast and crew of Hannibal are positively giddy to be welcoming Gillian to season 3 as a series regular. A striking presence on stage and screen, she brings wit, grace and intelligence to every role she embodies. Screenwriting is so much easier when you're inspired by a great actor and Gillian has filled the Hannibal writers room with wonderful inspiration". [17]

Fuller said, "The most important thing about the Bedelia–Hannibal relationship is one of two adults knowing exactly what they are getting into and navigating their own exit strategies for their respective best interests. Bedelia is always going to be Hannibal Lecter's psychiatrist, first and foremost. A lot of her fascination with this man and her willingness to join him on this journey is for her own edification as someone who's fascinated with the mind of killers. She is absolutely in control of her actions... I love her character and I love how Gillian Anderson portrays her". [18] He added, "... the more interesting route for me as a storyteller is for that character to have her own drive, with her own curiosities about the human condition. That was a very important point for us to make with that storyline because I feel like we would be doing the actress and the character a disservice if we just made her a drug-induced pawn of Hannibal Lecter's plot". [19] In another interview, he said that portraying Du Maurier as being in thrall to Lecter "would dishonour both the character and the actress [and] that's not how Gillian has been playing Bedelia". [20]

Vincenzo Natali, who directed four episodes of the third season, shared his perspective on the relationship between Du Maurier and Lecter, "From Bedelia's side, she's approaching it a little bit like a scientist – she's very much there to observe Hannibal in his natural habitat. And for Hannibal's part, I mean, I think he really adores her". [21]

"When I first started working on the series, it was just Mads [Mikkelsen] and I sitting across from each other, in a psychiatrist–patient relationship, and her cadence is born from that," Anderson said. "It's born from a need to remain on a particular level because she can't... reveal anything to him about what she's thinking. She's quite bold, but she's very self-aware and aware of how she's adjusted herself to fit him. That, ultimately, is where the cadence comes from. I do think that she is the smartest [person] in the room, and I do think that she's potentially one step ahead of him at times. So, she's always on her toes, but she also pushes his boundaries, and she pushes her own boundaries with him." [22] Anderson added, "I think that it's wonderful that she's inscrutable to the audience, and I think that's really important... we're told too much these days about what to think and how to feel and know too much before we see it, and I think one of the things that intrigues me about some of the characters that I choose to play is that they're enigmatic, and I like to keep them enigmatic". [23]

Reception

Anderson's portrayal of Du Maurier was praised, particularly for the third season of the series. Anderson received a nomination of the 2013 Online Film & Television Association Award for Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in the first season. [24] In 2015 and 2016, she won the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards for Favorite Supporting Actress on Television for the second season and the third season. [25] [26] In 2016, Anderson was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television for her portrayal of Du Maurier in the third season. [27]

Related Research Articles

<i>Hannibal</i> (TV series) American television series

Hannibal is an American psychological horror-thriller television series developed by Bryan Fuller for NBC. The series is based on characters and elements appearing in Thomas Harris' novels Red Dragon (1981), Hannibal (1999), and Hannibal Rising (2006) and focuses on the relationship between Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special investigator Will Graham and Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a forensic psychiatrist destined to become Graham's most cunning enemy and at the same time, the only person who can understand him.

<i>Hannibal</i> (season 1) Season of television series

The first season of the American television series Hannibal premiered on April 4, 2013. 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 Roth, Sara Colleton, David Slade, Chris Brancato, Jesse Alexander, Martha De Laurentiis, and Bryan Fuller serving as executive producers. Fuller serves as the series developer and showrunner, writing or co-writing 10 episodes of the season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Graham (character)</span> Fictional character

Will Graham is a fictional character and protagonist of Thomas Harris' 1981 novel Red Dragon. Graham is also the protagonist of two film adaptations of the novel, Manhunter (1986) and Red Dragon (2002), and the television series Hannibal (2013–2015), which adapted various parts of the Hannibal Lecter franchise.

"Sorbet" is the seventh episode of the first season of the psychological thriller–horror series Hannibal. The episode was written by executive producer Jesse Alexander and series creator Bryan Fuller, and directed by James Foley. It was first broadcast on May 9, 2013, on NBC. Although it was the third episode produced for the season, it was the seventh in scheduled order.

"Fromage" is the eighth episode of the first season of the psychological thriller–horror series Hannibal. The episode was written by producer Jennifer Schuur and series creator Bryan Fuller, and directed by Tim Hunter. It was first broadcast on May 16, 2013, on NBC.

"Rôti" is the eleventh episode of the first season of the psychological thriller–horror series Hannibal. The episode was written by Steve Lightfoot, series creator Bryan Fuller and supervising producer Scott Nimerfro, and directed by Guillermo Navarro. It was first broadcast on June 6, 2013, on NBC.

"Relevés" is the twelfth episode of the first season of the psychological thriller–horror series Hannibal. The episode was written by executive producer Chris Brancato and series creator Bryan Fuller, and directed by Michael Rymer. It was first broadcast on June 13, 2013, on NBC.

"Savoureux" is the thirteenth episode and season finale of the first season of the psychological thriller–horror series Hannibal. The episode was written by Steve Lightfoot, series creator Bryan Fuller, and supervising producer Scott Nimerfro, and directed by executive producer David Slade. It was first broadcast on June 20, 2013, on NBC.

"Sakizuke" is the second episode of the second season of the psychological thriller–horror series Hannibal. It is the 15th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Jeff Vlaming and series creator Bryan Fuller, and directed by Tim Hunter. It was first broadcast on March 7, 2014, on NBC.

"Shiizakana" is the ninth episode of the second season of the psychological thriller–horror series Hannibal. It is the 22nd overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Jeff Vlaming and series creator Bryan Fuller, and directed by executive producer Michael Rymer. It was first broadcast on April 25, 2014, on NBC.

"Tome-wan" is the twelfth episode of the second season of the psychological thriller–horror series Hannibal. It is the 25th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Chris Brancato, series creator Bryan Fuller and co-executive producer Scott Nimerfro, and directed by executive producer Michael Rymer. It was first broadcast on May 16, 2014, on NBC.

"Mizumono" is the thirteenth episode and season finale of the second season of the psychological thriller–horror series Hannibal. It is the 26th overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Steve Lightfoot and series creator Bryan Fuller, and directed by executive producer David Slade. It was first broadcast on May 23, 2014, on NBC.

"Antipasto" is the first episode of the third season of the psychological thriller–horror series Hannibal. It is the 27th overall episode of the series and was written by series creator Bryan Fuller and executive producer Steve Lightfoot, and directed by Vincenzo Natali. It was first broadcast on June 4, 2015, on NBC.

"Primavera" is the second episode of the third season of the psychological thriller–horror series Hannibal. It is the 28th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Jeff Vlaming and series creator Bryan Fuller, and directed by Vincenzo Natali. It was first broadcast on June 11, 2015, on NBC.

"Secondo" is the third episode of the third season of the psychological thriller–horror series Hannibal. It is the 29th overall episode of the series and was written by producer Angelina Burnett, series creator Bryan Fuller, and executive producer Steve Lightfoot and directed by Vincenzo Natali. It was first broadcast on June 18, 2015, on NBC.

"Contorno" is the fifth episode of the third season of the psychological thriller–horror series Hannibal. It is the 31st overall episode of the series and was written by Tom de Ville, series creator Bryan Fuller, and executive producer Steve Lightfoot and directed by Guillermo Navarro. It was first broadcast on July 2, 2015, on NBC.

"Dolce" is the sixth episode of the third season of the psychological thriller–horror series Hannibal. It is the 32nd overall episode of the series and was written by producer Don Mancini, series creator Bryan Fuller, and executive producer Steve Lightfoot and directed by Vincenzo Natali. It was first broadcast on July 9, 2015, on NBC.

"...And the Woman Clothed in Sun" is the tenth episode of the third season of the psychological thriller–horror series Hannibal. It is the 36th overall episode of the series and was written by producer Don Mancini, and series creator Bryan Fuller, and directed by Guillermo Navarro. It was first broadcast on August 6, 2015 on Canada, and then August 8, 2015 on NBC.

"The Number of the Beast Is 666" is the twelfth episode of the third season of the psychological thriller–horror series Hannibal. It is the 38th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer Jeff Vlaming, Angela Lamanna, series creator Bryan Fuller, and executive producer Steve Lightfoot, and directed by Guillermo Navarro. It was first broadcast on August 20, 2015, on Canada, and then August 22, 2015 on NBC.

"The Wrath of the Lamb" is the series finale of the horror series Hannibal. It is the 13th episode of the third season and is the 39th overall episode of the series. The episode was written by series creator Bryan Fuller, executive producer Steve Lightfoot, and co-producer Nick Antosca, and directed by Michael Rymer. It was first broadcast on August 27, 2015 on Canada, and then August 29, 2015 on NBC.

References

  1. "Sorbet". Hannibal. Season 1. Episode 7. May 9, 2013. NBC.
  2. "Fromage". Hannibal. Season 1. Episode 8. May 16, 2013. NBC.
  3. "Relevés". Hannibal. Season 1. Episode 12. June 13, 2013. NBC.
  4. "Savoureux". Hannibal. Season 1. Episode 13. June 20, 2013. NBC.
  5. "Sakizuke". Hannibal. Season 2. Episode 2. April 11, 2014. NBC.
  6. "Tome-Wan". Hannibal. Season 2. Episode 12. March 7, 2014. NBC.
  7. "Mizumono". Hannibal. Season 2. Episode 13. May 23, 2014. NBC.
  8. "Antipasto". Hannibal. Season 3. Episode 1. June 4, 2015. NBC.
  9. "Secondo". Hannibal. Season 3. Episode 3. June 18, 2015. NBC.
  10. "Dolce". Hannibal. Season 3. Episode 6. July 9, 2015. NBC.
  11. Eichel, Molly. "Hannibal: “Dolce” Sisters, doing it for themselves" The A.V. Club. July 15, 2015.
  12. "And the Woman Clothed in Sun". Hannibal. Season 3. Episode 10. August 8, 2015. NBC.
  13. "The Number of the Beast Is 666...". Hannibal. Season 3. Episode 12. August 22, 2015. NBC.
  14. "The Wrath of the Lamb". Hannibal. Season 3. Episode 13. August 29, 2015. NBC.
  15. VanDerWerff, Emily (July 26, 2013). "Bryan Fuller Walk Us Through Hannibal's Debut Season". The A.V. Club . San Francisco, California: j2 Global . Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  16. Fuller, Bryan (March 8, 2014). "BEDELIA IS THE SMARTEST CHARACTER ON THE SHOW #HANNIBAL #EMBRACETHECULTURE @GillianA". Twitter. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  17. Ausiello, Michael (September 11, 2014). "Hannibal Season 3: Gillian Anderson Is a Full-Fledged Series Regular". TVLine .
  18. Hibberd, James (June 4, 2015). "Hannibal showrunner on making season 3, and what comes next". Entertainment Weekly . Meredith Corporation . Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  19. Easton, Anne (June 3, 2015). "'Hannibal' EP Bryan Fuller Talks Creating a Complicated Cannibal Love Story". The New York Observer . New York City: Observer Media . Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  20. Alexander, Thomas (May 27, 2015). "Bryan Fuller on Hannibal Series 3 – Part 1". HeyUGuys. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  21. "Hannibal - Post Mortem - Episode 306". youtube.com. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  22. Slezak, Michael (June 18, 2015). "Hannibal's Gillian Anderson Talks Bedelia's Motivation: 'She's Teasing the Devil — and She Gets Off on It'". TVLine . Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  23. Produm, Laura (July 2, 2015). "'Hannibal' Star Gillian Anderson on Bedelia's Grand Plan". Variety . Los Angeles, California: Penske Media Corporation . Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  24. "2012-13: The Season of American Horror Story: Asylum". Online Film & Television Association Awards. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  25. "The 2015 FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards Winners and Full Results!". Fangoria . June 1, 2015. Archived from the original on June 27, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  26. "The 2016 FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards Winners and Full Results!". Fangoria . May 10, 2016. Archived from the original on May 10, 2016. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  27. "42nd Annual Saturn Awards - Television Nominations". Saturn Awards . February 24, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016.