Hannibal' releases cast from their contracts

Los Angeles: Hannibal's cast have been released from their contracts as the show continues to search for a broadcaster.

Lead stars Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy are now free to accept offers from other television shows and movies, Deadline reported.

However, both actors are reportedly keen to return to the show should it find a way of continuing into its fourth season.

NBC announced last week that it would not be picking Hannibal up for a fourth season, but show-runner Bryan Fuller has assured fans that producers are trying to work out a way of continuing the show away from the network.

Fuller has suggested that the series could return in a slightly different form, with a shorter season on the cards.

He previously described the show's chances of being revived by another outlet - such as Amazon Instant Video - as "50/50".