Raise A Nice Chianti In Farewell, NBC Cancels Hannibal After Third Season
The third season of the visceral NBC series Hannibal has barely begun, but it appears that this will be its Swan song.
Bryan Fuller, executive producer on the show, said of the cancellation: "“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, 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.”
Meanwhile, NBC stated: "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 Gaumont and everyone involved in the show for their tireless efforts that have made ‘Hannibal’ an incredible experience for audiences around the world.”
Hannibal has long suffered from the problem of low viewer numbers during airing, despite high praise for the series. As such, cancellation was an ever growing reality that loomed over the show, and indeed it was unknown if the show would even get a third season.
The show stars Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen in the titular role of Hannibal "the cannibal" Lecter. There may be some other actors in there, but really Mikkelsen's haunting, otherworldly, portrayal is everything.
Hannibal season 3 currently airs Thursdays at 10 P.M. on NBC.