‘Hannibal’ cancelled after three seasons

NBC praises TV series for creating a visual spectacle that set new standards

LOS ANGELES: Psychological-thriller TV series Hannibal, which is currently in its third season, has been cancelled by its broadcaster, NBC. The network announced on Monday that it would not order a fourth season of the critically-acclaimed show and the currently airing season three would be its last, reports aceshowbiz.com.

“We have been tremendously proud of ‘Hannibal’ over its three seasons,” NBC said in a statement announcing the cancellation. NBC also praised the TV series for creating a visual spectacle that set new standards in the history  of storytelling on television.

“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,” said the statement.

“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,” further read the statement.

Series creator Bryan Fuller responded to the news as stating: “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 and Practices enforcers. [NBC president] Jen Salke and her team have been fantastic partners and creatively supportive beyond measure.”

After news of the cancellation broke, Fuller took to Twitter to urge fans to show their support for the show by watching the third season. “We have 10 episodes of #Hannibal to watch on NBC Thursdays. Let’s watch together and show how strong the #fannibal collective can be,” he tweeted, before promoting #SaveHannibal. He also said that the show would still be heading to San Diego Comic-Con this July.

Executive producer Martha De Laurentiis, meanwhile, confirmed that they’re selling the show to other potential platforms by tweeting: “We are exploring all other options.”

Fuller also teased Hannibal fans with his idea for a potential fourth season should it find a new home.

“My idea for season 4 was perhaps one of the coolest yet. So, I would love to do it in some capacity,” he told TVLine, adding, “It would have explored the Hannibal-Will Graham relationship in a much deeper fashion than the series ever has before.”

Hannibal season three will wrap up in August. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2015.

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