'Hannibal' Releases Cast While it Searches for New Network Home

Mads Mikkelsen, who plays Dr. Hannibal Lecter, in a scene from NBC's recently canceled "Hannibal" (NBC Photo).

LOS ANGELES - The producers of NBC's recently canceled crime drama "Hannibal" have released the cast from their contracts while they look for a new home network for the show.

Show stars Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen are no longer under contract and are reportedly already receiving film and television offers, Deadline reported. Their contract options expired on June 30 and were not extended by Gaumont International Television which produces the show.

If the show finds a new home, both stars would have to agree to new contracts, though both have said they support the show's efforts to find a new home.

"Hannibal," which began airing in 2013, explores the early relationship between the renowned psychiatrist and his patient, a young FBI criminal profiler, who is haunted by his ability to empathize with serial killers.