Although Clarice hasn’t been updated since 2021, the spin-off of The Silence of the Lambs still deserves another season. Clarice follows FBI agent Clarice Starling (Rebecca Breeds), the main heroine from the original film. The show dives into Starling’s personal life and focuses on the lasting effects of her battle with Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs. Set in 1993, Clarice takes place after The Silence of the Lambs and before the events in the movie’s sequel, Hannibal. Clarice is often compared to other properties in the extensive TheSilence of the Lambs universe, including another show and four films.

Clarice’s cast brought 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 within The Silence of the Lambs cinematic universe.

Clarice Made A Solid Case For Season 2

The Show’s Finale Lays The Foundation For A Season 2

Clarice’s season 1 ending was 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 in Clarice. However, even without the original villain, the show could create a new iconic villain and a new Hannibal Lecter replacement for Clarice to face.

Part of the reason Ridley Scott’s Hannibal failed 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 original The Silence of the Lambs story. Part of the reason Ridley Scott’s Hannibal failed for many viewers is that it relegated Starling to second-tier status. Clarice, by contrast, leans more into Starling’s point of view. Clarice also took a more progressive approach to the original story, adding a trans character to address the complicated legacy of Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs. This elevated Clarice far 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, Clarice did not return to CBS’s fall 2021 lineup. Disappointingly, the show did not meet the network’s expectations regarding viewership ratings or profitability. While CBS did not officially cancel Clarice season 2, the show has not yet returned to network television. With an oversaturation of crime procedurals on television already, Clarice found it hard to stand out – despite its iconic central character.

As with most spin-offs, there are some continuity issues, as some of Clarice’s flashbacks from The Silence of the Lambs create plot holes in the original movie – particularly with its focus on Clarice’s personal background and interactions with Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs. The lack of Hannibal Lecter was also perceived as a problem for some viewers, many of whom believed Lecter was essential to Clarice’s story. However, Lecter’s absence means Clarice is 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

Clarice was long involved in rights issues involving content from The Silence of the Lambs. In 2022, Amazon acquired MGM, which co-produced Clarice. 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 that Amazon has the rights to the Clarice Starling character and some of The Silence of The Lambs’ intellectual property. With that potential series in mind, Amazon should try to revive the Clarice storyline before creating new spin-off content.

In 2013, NBC, who owns the rights to the Hannibal character, released another The Silence of the Lambs spin-off show, Hannibal. Due to its unique horror and talented actors, Hannibal became more popular than Clarice and ran for three seasons. But the market for content about Hannibal Lecter is already highly concentrated, with Clarice being the only show that does not mention the cannibalistic doctor. This unique perspective is necessary for the continued growth and success of The Silence of the Lambs franchise. Only Clarice has been able to provide this fresh take and deserves another chance at streaming to expand that world.

Silence of the Lambs Content
Content Type
Year

Red Dragon
Book
1981

Silence of the Lambs
Book
1988

Silence of the Lambs
Film
1991

Hannibal
Book
1999

Hannibal
Film
2001

Red Dragon
Film
2002

Hannibal Rising
Book
2006

Hannibal Rising
Film
2007

Hannibal
TV Show
2013-2015

Clarice
TV Show
2021

Though the run of Clarice was brief, the show deserves much more praise than it received in 2021. Clarice was merely following the format of crime procedurals that have been tried and tested for decades. Though some found this tiresome, the show proved that The Silence of the Lambs series 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 of Clarice would give the show another chance to prove that it has the unique characters and plot necessary for streaming success.