Comedian Scott Thompson will play a fingerprint expert in the new series. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)

Canadian entertainer Scott Thompson of the Kids in the Hall fame is taking a dramatic turn with a recurring role as an FBI agent on the new NBC series Hannibal.

The series is considered a prequel to the Hannibal movie series, which included The Silence of the Lambs (1991) – starring Anthony Hopkins as the titular cannibalistic serial killer. The role nabbed Hopkins the best actor Oscar.

Thompson, according to The Hollywood Reporter, will round out an FBI crime investigative unit lead by Laurence Fishburne. The Canadian comedian’s character, Jimmy Price, is a fingerprint and spatter expert.

The role would be quite a turn for the 53-year-old performer who is better known for his impression of the Queen of England.

The North Bay, Ont.-native portrayed outlandish characters, including barfly Buddy Cole, as a member of The Kids in the Hall. The troupe had a CBC comedy show from 1988 to 1995.

Thompson went on to make guest appearances on TV shows and films. He was also host of a reality TV program, My Fabulous Gay Wedding.

The Hannibal series also stars Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen as Hannibal, Hugh Dancy as FBI Profiler Will Graham and another Canadian, Caroline Dhavernas as a doctor.

Dancy’s character will enlist the help of Lecter, a leading psychiatrist, in the hunt for serial killers. Lecter’s dark side will only be known to the audience and not to the FBI characters.

The series is slated to be a mid-season replacement.

The 13-episode series will be based on the books by Thomas Harris. Lecter was first introduced to the world in the 1981 book Red Dragon as a psychiatrist and serial killer.

The first film adapted from Harris’ book series was Manhunter (1986) starring Brian Cox as the main character, and directed by Michael Mann, who was the executive producer of the stylish Miami Vice TV series.