The title of NBC’s upcoming series Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector is a bit of a mouthful. But fans of the book or the movie will recognize it immediately. After all, it is based on the 1997 novel, The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver. And you may also have seen the 1999 movie adaptation starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.
However, if you haven’t heard of either, you’re still going to want to catch this series. Especially if you’re a fan of the crime drama genre!
Lincoln Rhyme first received its pilot order in January 2019. But was initially titled simply Lincoln.
In May of the same year, the production was given a series order and announced as a mid-season replacement for the 2019-2020 midseason. And just this November, it was subsequently retitled to what we know it as now, Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector. As well as they announced Friday, January 10 as the premiere date for this new series.
Who’s in charge?
The pilot episode was written by VJ Boyd and Mark Bianculli and was directed by Seth Gordon (Modern Family, The Good Doctor). Both Boyd and Bianculli will also be showrunners as executive producers alongside Avi Nir (Homeland), Alon Shtruzman from Keshet Studios, Peter Traugott, and Rachel Kaplan.
The production companies involved with the series include Sony Pictures Television and Universal Television in association with, of course, Keshet Studios.
What’s the story?
The Bone Collector is the creepily apt nickname given to the destructive serial killer central to the whole story. After murdering his victims, he surgically removes their bones and leaves them as breadcrumbs, so to speak, for the police.
Lincoln Rhyme is a forensic criminologist whose retirement is abruptly interrupted when he’s asked to come back to the force and help a young cop Amelia Sachs continue the hunt for the elusive Bone Collector. And since Lincoln has a personal stake in his capture – when he was leading the hunt years prior, a trap set by the serial killer left him paralyzed – he’s more determined than ever to help Amelia finally catch the ruthless serial killer.
Who will we see on Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector?
Lincoln Rhymes, played by Denzel Washington in the movie, is set to be played by Russel Hornsby. Hornsby is a familiar face, as you may have seen him as Lyons Maxson in Fences or as Det. Hank Griffin throughout the Grimm series. He may have some big shoes to fill following Denzel’s portrayal of the legendary Lincoln Rhymes, but we’re positive that Hornsby will take up the mantle with ease.
Arielle Kebbel, recently seen in Midnight, Texas, will play the role of Amelia Sachs (the character previously played by Jolie), the rookie NYPD cop partnering with Rhymes to take down the serial killer. She’s smart, tough and determined to finally bring the serial killer to justice.
Also on the cast is Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos, The Lovely Bones) as Rick Sellitto, Rhymes’ former partner and veteran detective for the NYPD.
And there are a few other faces we see in the trailer. Including Courtney Grosbeck as Amelia’s younger sister Rae, who’s stalked by the Bone Collector and therefore the reason why Amelia wants to put him behind bars. Ramses Jimenez as Sellitto’s new partner Eric Ortiz. Brooke Lyons and Tate Ellington as Kate and Felix, members of the investigative team. As well as Roslyn Ruff as Claire, Rhymes’ caregiver.
In the wake of NBC’s cancellation of Hannibal some years ago, this is a new take on a similar story. And no matter if you’re an old fan or a new one, you can expect to see a lot of excitement and drama on Lincoln Rhymes: Hunt for the Bone Collector, premiering on January 10, 2020.