Just when things were heating up in Hannibal Lecter's kitchen, NBC decides to pull the plug on the show that features the best known cannibals in fiction.

Variety announced that NBC cancelled 'Hannibal' only two weeks after the Season Three premiere on June 4. The network released the following statement:

"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."

The show's creator Bryan Fuller had a cryptic response to the 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," Fuller said. "[NBC entertainment president] Jen Salke and her team have been fantastic partners and creatively supportive beyond measure."

He added, "'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."

Fans of the show were quick to speculate that the show may be moving to a different network. Almost immediately, the series producer De Laurentiis Company confirmed the rumors with a tweet.

'Hannibal' stars Mad Mikkelsen as the titular cannibalistic doctor and Hugh Dancy as serial killer hunter Will Graham. It also features Laurence Fishburne and Gillian Anderson, who will soon reprise her role as Dana Scully in the new 'X-Files' mini-series.

The season finale of 'Hannibal' will air on September 3, 2015.