It’s coming up to the end of review season and NBC’s “Hannibal” has made the cut. The news of the series, based on the Hannibal Lecter character popularized in Silence of the Lambs, being renewed comes in quite late, with the network having announced the rest of the shows on its fall roster no less than three weeks ago, but better late than never, right?

The belated announcement could have something to do with the fact that the series, though popular with its core audience, has only been averaging about 4.7 million viewers, including delayed DVR viewing, for each episode. On the other hand though, Hannibal is a favorite with critics, with the Bryan Fuller series receiving praise left and right. This is probably why NBC is reluctant to let the show go after just one season – after all, we know from shows like Community and Arrested Development that critical acclaim, plus a commited audience of fanboys and girls, usually equals massive backlash against a show’s cancellation. Network execs are confident in Hannibal as well.

"We're so proud of Bryan's vision for a show that is richly textured, psychologically complex, and very compelling," said NBC Entertainment president Jennifer Salke, in a statement. "There are many great stories still to be told."

Mads Mikkelsen, CannesHugh Dancy, Venus in Fur Opening
The series, starring Mads Mikkelsen (left) and Hugh Dancy, has been renewed at last.