Caffeinated Clint
The faux brains haven’t even left NBC’s studios and already the interweb is left wondering whether “Hannibal” might find another home.
And so they should. And so it should. One of the smartest, most complex hours of drama on Television – one that was probably never suited to a commercial network – the small screen adaptation of Thomas Harris’s beloved Cannibal chronicles deserves to live on.
NBC announced today that the series, starring Mads Mikkelsen in the title role, won’t be back for a fourth season.
The show might have had soft ratings, but it has a beloved cult following and a mass of top-tier critics flying the flag for it. And with rumours of Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster’s innocent little sheep from “Silence of the Lambs”) rumoured to have been involved in upcoming storylines, “Hannibal” was clearly just getting started.
Creator Bryan Fuller said, in response to the show’s 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.”
NBC said, “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.”
In the past, other networks have said that they’d gladly give “Hannibal” a home should NBC drop it, so one would expect a few meetings might be lined up over the next couple of weeks. While it’s unlikely the producers will even consider bids from other commercial networks, it’s almost a given that some kind of melee with Netflix will take place. Netflix are in the business of resurrecting shows – especially good ones – and without the restrictions of free-to-air TV, the producers would likely find the freedom they could have making the show for an online streamer funner than skinning a guard. Another possibility is Starz, who are housing Fuller’s next series “American Gods”. Don’t be surprised if they get a look-in too. But bottom line, I don’t believe Hannibal’s done yet – not by a long shot. Watch this apce.
