Summary
AlthoughClaricehasn’t been updated since 2021, the spin-off ofThe Silence of the Lambsstill deserves another season.Claricefollows FBI agent Clarice Starling (Rebecca Breeds), the main heroine from the original film.The show dives into Starling’s personal lifeand focuses on the lasting effects of her battle withBuffalo Bill inThe Silence of the Lambs.Set in 1993,Claricetakes place afterThe Silence of the Lambsand before the events in the movie’s sequel,Hannibal.Clariceis often compared to other properties in the extensiveTheSilence of the Lambsuniverse, including another show and four films.
Clarice’s castbrought new actors to revive some of the film’s original characters, though notably, one was absent from the show. The show’s season aired to notably low ratings, with a common criticism being its formulaic procedural storytelling. However, the predictability doesn’t mean the show doesn’t deserve another season to continue world-building and character development withinThe Silence of the Lambscinematic universe.
10 Shows To Watch If You Love Clarice
Fans of CBS' new series, Clarice, who are looking for more crime-centered TV shows to binge should head to this list that features 10 great options.
Clarice Made A Solid Case For Season 2
The Show’s Finale Lays The Foundation For A Season 2
Clarice’s season 1 endingwas relatively conclusive, with Starling receiving a well-earned vacation. However, after the two-week break, Starling would surely return to work and hunt more killers. Ideally, the show would be able to utilize the Hannibal Lecter character, expanding Starling and Hannibal’s connection and backstory, but due to a rights issue,CBS could not use Hannibal Lecter inClarice. However, even without the original villain, the show could create a new iconic villain and anew Hannibal Lecter replacement for Clariceto face.
Part of the reason Ridley Scott’sHannibalfailed for many viewers is that it relegated Starling to second-tier status.Clarice, by contrast, leans more into Starling’s point of view.
By focusing more on Starling’s perspective and backstory, the show leans into the greatest strength of the originalTheSilence of the Lambsstory.Part of the reason Ridley Scott’sHannibalfailed for many viewers is that it relegated Starling to second-tier status.Clarice, by contrast, leans more into Starling’s point of view.Claricealso took a more progressive approach to the original story, adding atrans character to address the complicated legacy of Buffalo BillinThe Silence of the Lambs. This elevatedClaricefar beyond the typical recycling of the classic Hannibal storyline.
Why Clarice Season 2 Hasn’t Happened
The Show’s Low Ratings Were Detrimental To Its Budding Reputation
After receiving the lowest ratings of the early 2021 CBS show list,Claricedid not return to CBS’s fall 2021 lineup. Disappointingly, the show did not meet the network’s expectations regarding viewership ratings or profitability. WhileCBS did not officially cancelClariceseason 2, the show has not yet returned to network television. With an oversaturation of crime procedurals on television already,Claricefound it hard to stand out – despite its iconic central character.
Clariceis loosely adapted from theRed Dragonnovel series by Thomas Harris.
As with most spin-offs, there are some continuity issues, as some ofClarice’sflashbacks fromThe Silence of the Lambscreate plot holesin the original movie – particularly with its focus on Clarice’s personal background and interactions with Buffalo Bill inThe Silence of the Lambs. The lack of Hannibal Lecter was also perceived as a problem for some viewers, many of whom believedLecter was essential to Clarice’s story. However, Lecter’s absence meansClariceis able to concentrate more on Starling’s perspective, giving it its unique voice.
Amazon’s Likely Reboot Should Be Nixed In Favor Of Clarice Season 2
Amazon Prime Video Now Has The Opportunity To Reboot The Show
Claricewas long involved in rights issuesinvolving content fromThe Silence of the Lambs. In 2022, Amazon acquired MGM, which co-producedClarice. Before the merger, a financial dispute between CBS Studios/Paramount and MGM curtailed the series' move to the Paramount+ streaming service. The Amazon-MGM merger means a new take on the series is likely in the works now thatAmazon has the rights to the Clarice Starling characterand some ofThe Silence of The Lambs' intellectual property. With that potential series in mind, Amazon should try to revive theClaricestoryline before creating new spin-off content.
In 2013, NBC, who owns the rights to the Hannibal character, released anotherThe Silence of the Lambsspin-off show,Hannibal.Due to its unique horror and talented actors,Hannibalbecame more popular thanClariceand ran for three seasons. Butthe market forcontent about Hannibal Lecteris already highly concentrated, withClaricebeing the only show that does not mention the cannibalistic doctor. This unique perspective is necessary for the continued growth and success ofThe Silence of the Lambsfranchise. OnlyClaricehas been able to provide this fresh take and deserves another chance at streaming to expand that world.
Though the run ofClaricewas brief, the show deserves much more praise than it received in 2021.Claricewas merely following the format of crime procedurals that have been tried and tested for decades. Though some found this tiresome, the show proved thatThe Silence of the Lambsseries doesn’t need Hannibal Lecter to continue the story. Clarice Starling is a compelling and intelligent female lead in both films and television. Additional seasons ofClaricewould give the show another chance to prove that it has the unique characters and plot necessary for streaming success.
Clarice
Cast
Clarice is a psychological horror/thriller series loosely adapted from the Red Dragon novel series that tells the story of FBI Agent Clarice Starling as she returns to the field after the events of The Silence of the Lambs. Brilliant and vulnerable, Clarice’s bravery gives her an inner light that draws monsters and madmen to her. However, her complex psychological profile that stems from her difficult childhood makes her capable of seeing angles of crimes others cannot comprehend.
