Hannibal Fandom Analysis

In nearly every notable fandom, regardless of media popularity or media form, there is at least one popular “slash” relationship that rules the minds, hearts, and, occasionally, the genitals of its devoted fans. “Slash relationships”, in general, are constructed when fans of a media place two presumably. or explicitly, heterosexual characters of the same sex in a romantic relationship that generally has not been acknowledged within the source media. In season one of NBC’s psychological thriller Hannibal, this slash relationship first materialized in-fandom between horror icon Hannibal “the Cannibal” Lecter and Will Graham. Lecter, portrayed by Mads Mikkelsen, and Graham, portrayed by Hugh Dancy, are the co-leads in Hannibal, which details
Despite having a large and involved fandom, and despite strong praise from T.V. and film critics, Hannibal’s ratings from the general public suffered in season one, largely due to the sensitive material being dealt with, and the shows casual treatment of violence and gore. As rumors of cancellation spread, the fandom organized en masse and valiantly campaigned for the show during each weekly episode. Fuller and the cast have since cited fandom intervention as instrumental in saving the show (Goldberg 2015). In season two, the show continued to suffer in ratings from the general public, and a second push for renewal secured season three. Despite two prior successes, ratings continued to drop and the third push for renewal failed. NBC officially canceled Hannibal after the series three finale on June 22nd, 2015. (Fanlore
For the parameters of this paper, the feminine gender role typically portrayed by Will Graham will be defined as out-of-character fiction that explicitly ascribes Graham stereotypically “feminine” characteristics, with or without the authors express intention to do so. Conversely, the masculine portrayal of Hannibal Lecter will be defined as out of character fiction that exaggerates Lecter’s masculine