Mads Mikkelsen returns as the incomparable master of manipulation, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, on NBC's "Hannibal." Once an accomplished psychologist, the formerly well-respected Dr. Lecter is now a fugitive on the run, the focus of a full-scale manhunt. Hannibal flourishes while building a new identity amongst intellectual peers, but old habits die hard - how long can the gifted doctor deny himself life's simple pleasures, including his old friend Will's company?

The Copenhagen-born actor began his professional career as a gymnast and dancer, and has worked steadily in theater, television and film to become the top male star in Denmark and Scandinavia.

Mikkelsen stars in the Academy Award-nominated film "A Royal Affair" in the role of Johann Friedrich Struensee, the German physician who became a confidant to the mentally ill King Christian VII and had an affair with his wife, Queen Caroline Mathilde.

Mikkelsen was named Best Actor at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival for his role in "The Hunt," directed by Thomas Vinterberg ("The Celebration"). Mikkelsen plays a kindergarten teacher in a small Danish village who is falsely accused of child abuse. Following a premiere at Cannes, the film screened at the 2012 Telluride Film Festival, the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival and will be released by Magnolia Pictures in Spring 2013.

Mikkelsen also co-stars in "The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman" in the role of Nigel, a violent crime boss, opposite Shia LaBeouf, Rupert Grint and Evan Rachel Wood. Directed by Fredrik Bond, the film premiered in January 2013 at Sundance Film Festival and will be screened in competition at the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival.

Last year Mikkelsen completed Kristian Levring's western, "The Salvation," about a Danish immigrant in America circa 1870, in which John, a peaceful pioneer, turns vengeful when a gang leader murders his family. He will next be seen in Anders Thomas Jensen's "Men & Chicken."

Mikkelsen made his film debut with a lead performance in director Nicolas Winding Refn's ("Drive") 1996 international crime drama success "Pusher," part one of a trilogy. He reprised his role as a low-life pusher-junkie in the much-anticipated sequel, "With Blood on My Hands: Pusher 2." This performance garnered him a Best Actor Robert statue from the Film Academy of Denmark and a Best Actor Bodil Award from Denmark's National Association of Film Critics.

In 2004, Mikkelsen made his American debut opposite Clive Owen and Keira Knightley in Disney's "King Arthur," directed by Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day") and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer ("Pirates of the Caribbean"). As Tristan, Mikkelsen played the understated hawk-loving scout among Arthur's (Owen) Knights of the Round Table.

In 2005, Mikkelsen appeared as a delusional priest in "Adam's Apple," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film was the Danish selection for Best Foreign Language Film for the 2006 Academy Awards and his performance garnered him a Best Actor Zulu Award.

In 2006, Mikkelsen starred as the villain, Le Chiffre, in the highest-grossing James Bond film, "Casino Royale." Also that year, Mikkelsen played the lead role in the Academy Award-nominated film "After the Wedding," directed by Academy Award-winning director Susanne Bier ("In a Better World"). He also starred in the Swedish thriller "Exit," directed by Peter Lindmark.

In 2008, Mikkelsen starred in director Ole Christian Madsen's Danish drama-action film, "Flame & Citron."

In 2009, Mikkelsen was reunited with Danish director Nicolas Winding-Refn ("Drive") for "Valhalla Rising." The story follows a group of Christians who get tragically lost on a journey to Jerusalem, and takes place in 1,000 AD.

The following two years Mikkelsen starred as Draco in "Clash of the Titans" and as Rochefort in "The Three Musketeers."

A graduate of Århus Theatre School, Mikkelsen has subsequently appeared onstage in several productions, including Romeo in "Romeo and Juliet," as directed by Lars Kaalund. Mikkelsen also starred in the police series "Unit 1," which garnered an International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series.