Seth MacFarlane’s sci-fi TV passion project appears to be over… for now.
MacFarlane created, writes, directs, executive produces and stars in the space comedy-drama “The Orville” which aired for two seasons and a total of 26 episodes on FOX from 2017-2019.
Whilst critical response was tepid at first, the show found its footing midway in its first season and became a series very akin to 1990s sci-fi series like “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “seaQuest DSV” in terms of tone and technique – albeit with more modern visual effects.
The show rated fairly well, becoming the broadcaster’s highest-rated Thursday show and its most-viewed debut drama since 2015. FOX took its time renewing the show for a third season, but did so before handing it off to Hulu who will premiere the new run in June under the new name “The Orville: New Horizons”.
The series began production of that third season back in early 2020 but the pandemic caused things to stall and the cast and crew weren’t able to finish filming the eleven-episode run until August 2021.
A new report at Deadline indicates there are no current plans for a fourth season and the cast of the series was released from their contracts back in August after filming as their most recent options had expired.
That said, the trade indicates the third season is not designed as a definitive ending and the door has been left open to revisit it with a new installment if/when MacFarlane wants to do it. Should they go ahead though, new deals with the cast would need to be made.
MacFarlane is also busy focusing on development under the mega overall deal he has at NBCUniversal including Peacock’s “Ted” TV series which Seth MacFarlane will co-showrun and lend his voice to. Scott Grimes, a regular on “The Orville,” has also scored a regular role on “Ted” suggesting the cast is already moving on.
“The Orville: New Horizons” premieres on Hulu on June 2nd.
