Hannibal to be cancelled due to poor ratings

The NBC show Hannibal, based on a character portrayed in several Thomas Harris novels, will be off air soon after its summer run as the show did not get enough ratings.

After three seasons, the NBC show Hannibal, is heading for an end owing to poor ratings.

Mads-Mikkelsen-as-Hannibal-Lecter-in-the-NBC-show-Hannibal-which-will-not-be-continued-after-the-third-season-AP-Photo

The drama about a psychiatrist-turned-serial killer won't return for a fourth year after the summer run, the network said on June 22.

is based on a character portrayed in several Thomas Harris novels. Another Harris novel, The Silence of the Lambs, was the source of the 1991 movie that was followed by a 2001 sequel.

In a statement, Hannibal executive producer Bryan Fuller credited NBC for keeping the series on the air despite its low ratings and dark subject matter.

The show, starring Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy, will finish out its current run with 10 more episodes on Thursdays at 10pm EDT. Its followers may be hoping the series will find new life elsewhere, as NBC's canceled "Community" did when it moved to Yahoo.

Read: Richard Armitage joins Hannibal