Get in the car, head to the supermarket, and pick yourself up some fava beans and a nice Chianti, because CBS has cast Rebecca Breeds (THE ORIGINALS, PRETTY LITTLE LIARS) as Clarice Starling for the pilot episode of CLARICE, a project spinning out of SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. Based on the beloved Thomas Harris character of Lambs fame, the gritty project is written and executive produced by Alex Kurtzman and Jenny Lumet. CBS is reportedly very excited to explore the life and times of the FBI academy student, as they've already set up a writers room to get cracking on what the network hopes will be a smash hit series.
Set is 1993, CLARICE takes place a year after the appetite-suppressing events of THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, and will serve as a deep dive into the untold personal story of Clarice Starling (Breeds), as she returns to the field to pursue serial murderers and sexual predators while navigating the high-stakes political world of Washington, D.C.
Brilliant and vulnerable, Clarice graduated Magna from UVA with a double major in psych and criminology. Her bravery gives her an inner light that draws monsters and madmen to her. Her complex psychological makeup comes from a challenging childhood, and her drive comes from her need to escape the burden of family secrets that have haunted her throughout her life.
Breeds is taking on the role that was played by Jodie Foster in the 1991 original film directed by Jonathan Demme. Foster had received an Oscar for her compelling portrayal of Clarice Starling, giving Breeds some very big shoes to fill. The Clarice character appeared on the big screen once again for 2001's HANNIBAL, which takes place 10 years after SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. Starring as Clarice for the follow-up was none other than Julianne Moore.
Executive producing CLARICE for CBS are Secret Hideout’s Kurtzman and Heather Kadin alongside Lumet; the company’s Aaron Baiers will be co-executive producer.
To answer a question that I'm sure is already on your mind, no, there are no plans to include the character of Hannibal Lecter in the series. While that's bound to be a disappointment for some, I'm of the mind that Lecter's absence will pave the way for new and even more disturbed individuals to wander onto Clarice's already-winding path.
Will you be checking out CLARICE when it arrives via CBS? Let us know in the comments section below.