I don't know if this is an unpopular opinion, but to me Mads Mikkelson' IS Hannibal Lecter. He's perfect in the role and I would love somehow (however unlikely) for a reunion season or movie
He's threatening in a way that Anthony Hopkins never could be (and to be fair, in a way he never tried to be). He's physically imposing to go with the mental acuity. Absolutely superb.
Hopkins is fantastic in the role, and deserves the plaudits, but like you, I feel like Mikkelson inhabited the role like nobody else has.