21. Hannibal Lecter

Appearances: The Hannibal Lecter films (1986-2007)

Creator: Thomas Harris

Performers: Brian Cox, Anthony Hopkins, Aaran Thomas, Gaspard Ulliel

Defining moment: The moment that cements Lecter’s extraordinary effect comes during his conspicuous absence. Orchestrated with devilish cunning, his courthouse escape in The Silence Of The Lambs leaves you thunderstruck by temporarily having no idea where he is.

Fascinating fact: John Lithgow, Mandy Patinkin, William Friedkin, Brian Dennehy, Sean Connery, Derek Jacobi and Daniel Day-Lewis have all been considered to play Lecter.

Buy The Hannibal Lector Trilogy now on Amazon