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NBC Cancels ‘A.D.’ And ‘Hannibal,’ But They Might Return [Video]

By Maat van Uitert
Published on: 08:37 PST, Jul 6, 2015

NBC viewers are reeling after the network decided to cancel two major shows in the same month, A.D. and Hannibal. Rest easy: There has been some scuttlebutt about both shows returning in different formats, although nothing has been confirmed.

While fans are still breathless from the sudden decision to cancel Hannibal, NBC made the decision to cancelA.D. after its ratings took a nosedive following a very successful premiere that garnered 7.6 million same-night viewers and about 9.5 million overall.

As A.D.’s episodes continued, however, viewership plummeted to less than half the opening night numbers. A.D. picked up where the very successful The Bible left off, telling the story of Jesus’s demise and crucifixion followed by the beginnings of Christianity, reports Variety. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, A.D. premiered on Easter night, which could have been one reason for the strong ratings.

A.D. was produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, and it tells the story of the start of Christianity, reports Variety. A.D. starred Juan Pablo Di Pace as Jesus. Richard Coyle, best known for his role on the BBC sitcom Coupling, James Callis, Babou Alieu Ceesay, Chipo Chung, and Adam Levy also were part of the A.D. cast.

https://twitter.com/abbasaeeyd/status/618106714399838214

Fans of A.D. are wondering why NBC decided to cancel the program, with one tweeter writing, “A.D. The Bible Continues got cancelled… Why would you cancel a show about Jesus?”

Fans of Hannibal are reeling after NBC decided to cancel that show as well after three successful seasons. Hannibal concludes it final show August 27 at 10 p.m., according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Viewers of both programs can rest easy: There are rumors that both shows will be picked up elsewhere. A.D. producers have gone on record as saying they might take the program into digital format, citing a wide audience for faith-based programming.

Although they haven’t come right out and said it, Hannibal’s producers have sparked rumors that we might be looking at a Hannibal revival. When NBC revealed they decided to cancel the show, Hannibal staff released a statement, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

“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. 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.”

Although nothing has confirmed after NBC’s decision to cancel each show, fans of both A.D. and Hannibal are hoping for a resurrection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pNXLmDdrL0

[Image credit: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images]

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