After three seasons, NBC has finally pulled the plug on Hannibal. The news was announced on Tuesday.
Despite a passionate fan following, Hannibal never quite managed to pull in a solid audience to keep it afloat. According to Forbes, “its last episode netted only .5 million in the 18-49 year old demo on Thursday at 10.” Although it was exceptionally well-crafted with striking cinematography and superb performances from its main cast, Hannibal was never destined to be a mainstream success due to its incredibly dark, disturbing nature and its graphic violence and gore. It’s kind of amazing it lasted as long as it did and credit should be given to NBC for sticking with it.
Showrunner Bryan Fuller had this to say about 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 Cancelation Bear Chow ratings and images that would have shredded the eyeballs of lesser Standards & Practices enforcers…[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.”
Still, all hope may not be lost. After all, we live in a world where cancelled series are quickly picked up by digital platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu and one of Hannibal’s executive producers has indeed confirmed that a search for a new home is currently underway. (Source: THR) It’s very possible we’ll be hearing some news relatively soon regarding the show’s ultimate fate, but in the meantime, fans are doing their part to ensure their voices are heard on social media.
Is there a hashtag for Netflix to pick up “Hannibal” yet? Will tweet, or we can start one.
— Dylan Scott (@dylanlscott) June 22, 2015
If Hannibal isn’t picked up by Netflix I’ll buy a hat just to eat it.
— Licensed Poltergeist (@LittleMxSurly) June 22, 2015
Even Bryan Fuller is rallying up the fans:
WE HAVE 10 EPISODES OF #HANNIBAL TO WATCH ON NBC THURSDAYS. LET’S WATCH TOGETHER AND SHOW HOW STRONG THE #FANNIBAL COLLECTIVE CAN BE.
— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) June 22, 2015
Join the fight to #SaveHannibal by tuning in for its final episodes Thursday nights at 10 p.m. on NBC.
