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It could be the end of the line for Hannibal, as the series has been cancelled by NBC.



Showrunner Bryan Fuller confirmed today (June 22) that Hannibal will not get a fourth season at NBC, but hinted that there may be a future for the cult drama elsewhere.

Fuller said in a statement: "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.

"[NBC boss] 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 also issued a statement to declare that it remains "tremendously proud" of the critically-acclaimed series based on Thomas Harris's books.

"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," NBC said.

"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."

Fuller acknowledged earlier this year that it was unlikely that Hannibal would be renewed at NBC, even before it returned to new ratings lows.

In spite of its low ratings, the series has earned critical acclaim and received Critics' Choice Television Award and Saturn Award nominations.

The series chronicled the complex relationship between cannibalistic killer Dr Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) and troubled profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy).

Hannibal has attracted many major guest and recurring stars over the years, including Gillian Anderson, Cynthia Nixon, Lance Henriksen, Richard Armitage and Zachary Quinto.