'Longmire' canceled after three seasons on A&E

NEW YORK, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- A&E has canceled Longmire after three seasons.

The crime drama was the network's most-watched original drama series of all time, and many fans are shocked and puzzled by its cancellation. Adding insult to injury, the season three finale left off on a cliffhanger.

"We would like to thank the phenomenal cast, crew and producers of Longmire, along with our partners at [studio] Warner Horizon, for their tireless work on three seasons of quality dramatic storytelling," A&E said in a statement.

Longmire is based on a series of mystery novels by Craig Johnson, and debuted on A&E in 2012. The series centers on Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor), a Wyoming sheriff who continues to investigate crimes after his wife's death and campaigns for reelection. Katee Sackhoff also stars as sheriff's deputy Victoria "Vic" Moretti, with Lou Diamond as Walt's best friend Henry Standing Bear, Cassidy Freeman as Walt's daughter Cady, Bailey Chase as Walt's rival Branch Connally and Adam Bartley as deputy "The Ferg" Ferguson.

Warner Horizon is currently shopping Longmire to different networks.