Is The Orville Returning? Latest Update and Rumors Explained

The Orville, a charmingly science-fictional series, has been a beloved favorite among fans for its unique mix of humor and deep space adventure. The show has garnered significant attention, particularly after moving to Hulu, leading to countless speculations and rumors about its future. Here, we explore the latest developments and clear up some of the myths floating around about the show's return.

Common Rumors

Many fans have been following various theories about why The Orville hasn’t made an official return. Some of these rumors have plausible grounds, while others seem quite far-fetched. Let's examine the most noteworthy ones more closely.

Financial and Policy Reasons

Rumor 1: One plausible theory suggests that The Orville was previously canceled due to budget cuts, possibly related to the Covid-19 pandemic. The financial strain placed on Fox—pegs the original network—could have caused budget constraints, ultimately leading to the show's cancellation.

Rumor 2: Another plausible scenario involves the complexities of Disney’s ownership of Hulu. Fox, the original network, rehomed the series with Hulu when it was acquired by Disney. However, Disney’s disagreement with the show's content led to creative clashes. The producers, notably Seth MacFarlane, had to tone down the adult themes to avoid cancellation. This underscores the intricate navigation Hollywood needs to make when dealing with complex ownership structures.

Brand and Content Confusion

Rumor 3: Some speculate that Disney’s concerns about brand confusion with Star Wars content played a role. Similar to the Discovery channel’s forced shutdown of non-official content due to CBS considerations, Disney might have been wary of The Orville crossing paths with Star Wars branding.

Less Plausible Theories

These rumors, while entertaining, lack substantial evidence and don't appear to hold much water:

Rumor 4: Disney’s dislike for non-Star Wars science fiction. Rumor 5: Lack of “wokeness.” Rumor 6: Disney questioning the moral aptitude of Seth MacFarlane over a personal scandal. Rumor 7: Discovery fans attempting to cancel the show via social media slander.

The Return to Hulu

The Orville: New Horizons made a comeback on Hulu on March 10th, 2022, with a new format. The show was rebranded as The Orville: New Horizons. This rebranding came with a complete overhaul, focusing more on deep sci-fi themes and advanced tactical missions, leading to a new audience enjoying more episodes on the platform.

Season 3 of The Orville: New Horizons concluded with its run on Hulu from June 2nd to August 4th, 2022. Despite the show's continued popularity, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 100% based on 5 reviews and an average of 8.20/10, its future remains uncertain. The success on Hulu and the critical acclaim earned from fans and critics alike will be the key determinants of whether a fourth season will materialize.

In January 2024, during an interview, Seth MacFarlane confirmed that the show has not been officially canceled but has also not been renewed for a fourth season. Fans and devotees of the series will continue to hope for further announcements from the production team.

Conclusion

While the future of The Orville remains shrouded in uncertainty, fans can keep their fingers crossed for more episodes. The show's move to Hulu highlighted its adaptability and popularity, and now, the ball is in the hands of the network and production team. Until official news is released, let's enjoy the content we have and wait with anticipation for any potential future developments.

Key Points Recap

Plausible rumors about budget cuts and content disagreements with Disney. No concrete evidence for less plausible theories. Success on Hulu may determine if a fourth season will occur. Seth MacFarlane's confirmation that the show hasn't been officially canceled.