Sorry, Hannibal fans: We know you're in mourning. NBC shocked viewers on Monday, June 22 when it announced plans to kill off the acclaimed drama after three seasons. After the peacock network broke the news and released its fall schedule without Hannibal included, fans quickly and forcefully took their rage to Twitter.
Using the #SaveHannibal hashtag, put into place when cancellation rumors loomed in previous seasons, irate viewers blasted NBC for axing their beloved series, which features characters from the novel Red Dragon, and its sequel, The Silence of the Lambs.
Slow motion Hannibal shots of blood drops splashing on the floor but it's my tears.
— Jake Cole (@notjustmovies) June 22, 2015
I took the news from my wife that "Hannibal" got canceled like she had told me everyone I have ever loved ever had died all at once.
— Geoff Garlock (@GGARLOCK) June 22, 2015
Showrunner Bryan Fuller was diplomatic about his series getting the boot, and isn't willing to go quietly. During a Twitter exchange Monday, Fuller admitted that "all options are being explored" for the series to continue in another capacity, on NBC or another platform. "We have 10 episodes of Hannibal to watch on NBC Thursdays. Let's watch together and show how strong the Fannibal collective can be," Fuller wrote, referring to the name adopted by Hannibal fans.
Following Hannibal's cancellation news, enterprising Oklahoma City, Okla., viewer Ian Smith started a Change.org petition to ask platforms including Netflix, NBC, and Amazon to consider airing the program. "The Fannibals are awesome and are a force to be reckoned with. Keep sharing! We are gonna bring Hannibal back!!" Smith wrote on the petition, which had nearly 7,000 supporters by midday Tuesday.
