#tom wisdom

bonus:

SPOILER ALERT - RIP Anthony Dimmond, your h*rny *ss got you into so much trouble…

I actually really enjoyed his appearance in the third season of Hannibal!

For disclaimer: I do not work for Starfury. I just trying to give this convention some recognition with this post, basing on what I know and what I experienced.

What is Red Dragon Con?

Red Dragon Con is NBC’s Hannibal-themed convention that has been held annually in London since 2015 (although it didn't take place in 2020-2023 due to the pandemic). The first few editions took place in winter, however now it takes place in summer.

Where and when is this year’s Red Dragon Con?

July 4th – 6th 2025

Renaissance Hotel, Heathrow

there are still some tickets left!!

What can you do at Red Dragon Con?

First of all, the biggest thing, I believe, is meeting Hannibal’s actors.

Last year we had Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal Lecter), Caroline Dhavernas (Alana Bloom), Tao Okamoto (Chiyoh), Tom Wisdom (Anthony Dimmond), Jeremy Davies (Peter Bernardone) and the Julian Richings (prisoner of Lecter Estate).

This year’s guests are: Hugh Dancy (Will Graham), Kacey Rohl (Abigail Hobbs), Lara Jean Chorostecki (Freddie Lounds), Jeremy Davies (Peter Bernardone), Demore Barnes (Tobias Budge), Ricky Whittle.

On Friday there is registration, where you collect your entry badge. In the evening there is a meeting with the actors for golden ticket holders, as well as the opening ceremony.

On Saturday and Sunday there are photo ops with the actors, meetings with the actors, panels during which the attendees ask questions, and the autograph sessions.

You have to pay for the photos, and prices range from 35-75£

Regular ticket holders are guaranteed autographs from all regular guests

Golden ticket holders are guaranteed autographs from all regular guests and one bonus guest. This year’s bonus guests are Jeremy Davies and Ricky Whittle

Everyone has to pay for an autograph from an extra guest (this category appeared this year) — this year’s extra guest is Hugh Dancy

You have to pay for fan meets too (last year the highest price was £375 for Mads Mikkelsen, this year it's much lesser for Hugh Dancy)

On all three days there is a disco in the evenings. On Saturdays there is a cosplay competition with actors as the jury. On Sunday there is a closing ceremony.

What is my personal experience?

Red Dragon Con 6 was my first convention ever. I was nervous, but it's a small convention (last year there were about 700 people, this year it will be about 400) and the people there were so lovely that I knew I would want to come back. Fannibals were exchanging handmade goods, bringing some homemade cookies, fans (because it was so hot), going shopping together, and so on.

I will never forget when my friends and I were returning to another hotel at night and someone accosted us. This person said that they were sorry for following us, but their battery was dead and they had to get to the bus stop and they saw the flower crowns so they felt safe.

There was also a Hindu wedding held at that hotel. So half the people were in traditional Indian wedding attire and the other half was in flower crowns. People thought we were a cult (lol).

Caroline Dhavernas accidentally broke the flower crown I had for her, so in the photo she stands with her arms raised, holding it. (lol)

My favourite was definitely Jeremy Davies. Someone lent me a rat stuffed animal for a photo, and when I approached Jeremy, he immediately started acting like Peter. It didn't matter whether it was during fan meetings, photos or autographs — he tried to devote so much time to each one single person that in the end the staff had to hurry him up because the schedule was falling apart.

The closing ceremony was also delayed because of Jeremy — he was talking to both Bryan Fuller and the staff because he wanted to connect us with Bryan somehow. We ended up singing a made-up song to the tune of Happy Birthday and he sent it to Bryan (which he posted on Twitter).

It was hard to say goodbye to everyone, but yes, I am coming back this year for the seventh edition of the convention.

Once again, I am leaving here the link to the event page: https://seanharry.com/home/red-dragon/