NBC television series Hannibal ran for three seasons before being cancelled due to low ratings, but this has not stopped audiences from speculating about season 4, especially when it comes to whether or not Buffalo Bill will be included. Based on the show's timeline up to season 3, it would make sense to finally introduce the iconic antagonist of Thomas Harris' book The Silence of the Lambs—Buffalo Bill, aka Jame Gumb—a character made infamous by the book's movie adaptation, in which he was played by Ted Levine in a character-defining performance. Casting a Buffalo Bill actor for season 4 would be a difficult task, but there are at least two actors who would perfectly fit the bill, so to speak. Buffalo Bill's backstory is quite complicated, therefore the character requires a highly skilled actor to take on the role.
Mads Mikkelsen, who portrays the show's titular character, Hannibal Lecter, has teased how a potential Hannibal season 4 could adapt The Silence of the Lambs, stating that Funny Games' Michael Pitt would have been his choice for Buffalo Bill if the actor hadn't already been cast as serial killer Mason Verger in the show. Bryan Fuller, Hannibal's showrunner, has said that his Hannibal season 4 plans would include The Hobbit's Lee Pace as Buffalo Bill. While both of these actors clearly have the skill set to play the infamous villain from The Silence of the Lambs, there are at least two other actors who are better suited for the role of maladjusted misogynist Buffalo Bill.
The number one casting choice for Buffalo Bill in Hannibal season 4 is Scottish actor James McAvoy, who has the perfect resume and acting chops to play a mentally ill character such as Buffalo Bill. Perhaps most importantly, he has the ability to speak in a wide range of accents, an important skill needed to take any portrayal of Buffalo Bill out from beneath the shadow of Levine's, whose chosen accent for the role has created a lasting impression. McAvoy's work in Split and Glass is a testament to his capability to portray Buffalo Bill's damaged psyche. It also shows he has the physical skill needed to transform his face and voice to match said psyche. McAvoy might seem like a fantasy choice since he has been so successful in movies; however, he is no stranger to television. For example, McAvoy played Lord Asriel in HBO's His Dark Materials.
The alternative choice for the role of Buffalo Bill would be Jesse Plemons. Like McAvoy, Plemons has the chops to play a darkly disturbed character such as Buffalo Bill, with his work as Jake in I'm Thinking of Ending Things and Gary in Game Night demonstrating that he can be creepy as well as disarming. Both of these qualities are essential to the role. His work also shows that he can bring the right amount of bizarre levity to the character through his facial and vocal abilities, which are also essential to portraying Buffalo Bill. Also like McAvoy, Plemons has experience in television, such as his work in an episode of Black Mirror and Fargo season 2.
There are a few other actors who would fit the role, only less so: Hayden Christensen, who can play crazy, but might be too stoic for the important facial characteristics and voice of Buffalo Bill; and Iwan Rheon of Game of Thrones, who can also play crazy, but whose wild facial expressions might be too outlandish even for Buffalo Bill. Finally, a far-fetched, but satisfyingly ironic choice would be Edward Norton, who clearly has the skills needed, but might be too closely related to his own portrayal of Will Graham in Red Dragon to be a serious consideration. Regardless of who is the best fit for the role of Buffalo Bill in Hannibal season 4, the show's cult popularity may not be able to overcome the rights issues that currently prevent it from being made. Needless to say, fans of the show will continue speculating until it does.