From The Hobbit to Hannibal: Richard Armitage to play serial killer Francis Dolarhyde

Richard Armitage is moving on from Middle Earth to take a role in TV horror series Hannibal.

The British actor, 43, is best known for playing dwarf king Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit film franchise.

But now that Peter Jackson’s trilogy has reached its epic conclusion, Armitage is turning his hand to playing the ‘Tooth Fairy’ serial killer in NBC’s crime drama.

The show confirmed the news on its official Twitter account, posting that Armitage will star as Francis Dolarhyde in season three before following up with an awful, if entertaining, pun.

Ralph Fiennes and Tom Noonan have both played Dolarhyde before, in 2002’s Red Dragon and 1986’s Manhunter respectively.

The character earns his creepy nickname because of his trademark love of biting victims and is the main villain from Red Dragon, on which Hannibal is based. Season three will see forensic scientist and serial killer Hannibal Lecter, played by Mads Mikkelsen, running from the cops.

Armitage joins The Fall’s Gillian Anderson, who plays Lecter’s psychotherapist Bedelia Du Maurier.

NBC is yet to confirm air dates for Hannibal season three, but it is expected to premiere later this year.