'Hannibal' TV Series: NBC Cancels Show After Three Seasons; Producers "Exploring Other Options For Future Seasons"

Hannibal
Hannibal |

"Hannibal" will no longer be returning for a fourth season in NBC. Reports have surfaced that the network earlier announced that cancellation of the well-loved TV series due to low ratings it garnered in all of its three seasons in the small screen, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The TV series, which stars Hugh Dancy, Laurence Fishburne, Caroline Dhavernas, Gillian Anderson, and Mads Mikkelsen, is in its third season and will reportedly end by August 27. "Hannibal" was first seen onscreen in the spring of 2013.

In a statement released by NBC, the network said that it has "been tremendously proud of Hannibal over its three seasons." It praised the show's creator, Bryan Fuller and the entire team comprising the TV series. NBC added, "[Showrunner Bryan Fuller] and his team of writers and producers, as well as our incredible actors, have brought a visual palette of storytelling that has been second to none in all of television - broadcast or cable. We thank Gaumont and everyone involved in the show for their tireless efforts that have made Hannibal an incredible experience for audiences around the world."

Meanwhile, Fuller released a statement in behalf of the team. He said, "NBC has allowed us to craft a television series that no other broadcast network would have dared, and kept us on the air for three seasons despite Cancellation Bear Chow ratings and images that would have shredded the eyeballs of lesser Standards & Practices enforcers.

He added, "Jen Salke and her team have been fantastic partners and creatively supportive beyond measure. Hannibal is finishing his last course at NBC's table this summer, but a hungry cannibal can always dine again. And personally, I look forward to my next meal with NBC."

Fuller might be referring to the possibility of the show getting picked up by other networks, or its potential to be part of the Internet streaming service, Netflix. The show's producer, the De Laurentiis Company, disclosed that the company is currently "exploring other options for future seasons," according to Variety. "Hannibal's" producers also revealed that "others have expressed interest in partnering with us." These pieces of information were unveiled in a Twitter post by the said company. They posted, "We hope to bring you future seasons. Let's focus on the amazing #Fannibal family we have formed, and move forward together! #Hannibal"

In an earlier report, Fuller actually discussed his succeeding plans for Season 4 of "Hannibal." He said, "The plan for season 4 is actually much much more radical." He added, "There is a pocket in one of the novels of some really rich interesting character material that I'm inverting and twisting around."