NBC Cancels ‘Hannibal’ After Three Seasons: Will Another Network Pick It Up?

Hannibal, NBC’s bloody re-imagining of Thomas Harris‘ novels, has been canceled after three seasons on the air.

NBC Cancels ‘Hannibal’

Brian Fuller‘s Silence of the Lambs prequel is currently in its third season, which will run in its entirety – 13 episodes – on NBC. While the series wasn’t a major draw in the ratings, that apparently wasn’t the driving factor behind the cancelation. Instead, it was Fuller’s desire to introduce character Clarice Starling. The rights to the character, famously played by Jodie Foster, are still unavailable, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“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 Cancelation Bear Chow ratings and images that would have shredded the eyeballs of lesser Standards & Practices enforcers,” Fuller said in a statement. “[NBC Entertainment exec] 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.”

NBC added in a statement, “We have been tremendously proud of Hannibal over its three seasons. Bryan 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 [producers] Gaumont and everyone involved in the show for their tireless efforts that have made Hannibal an incredible experience for audiences around the world.”

Hannibal executive producer Martha DeLaurentiis gave fans hope that the series could continue with another home on Twitter.

Hannibal Season 3 Recaps: