The Orville star and creator Seth MacFarlane finds the sci-fi/comedy series' new home on Hulu to be "classier" than its previous run on Fox.
MacFarlane, who plays the ship commander Captain Ed Mercer, spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about how the show gets fewer creative notes at Hulu than from the Fox days. "Yes, it's definitely different than being on Fox. Certainly, it's a classier association," MacFarlane joked. "But I do think, from an executive standpoint now, we were really supported by Hulu. I'm trying to think of any point where they really gutted [an episode], and they didn't. They've given us really intelligent notes. They don't give notes unless they have notes, which is always, to me, the sign of a smart executive. They're not just talking to hear themselves talk."
Debuting in 2017, The Orville was a dream project for MacFarlane, who had made a name for himself at the network due to the massive success of Family Guy. Inspired by Star Trek and The Twilight Zone, The Orville is set 400 years into the future and follows the crew of the USS Orville (ECV-197) as they explore new worlds and encounter timely issues of modern life. Though critics' reviews were mostly negative for Season 1, the audience response was far more positive, citing the series' optimism and resemblance to the original Star Trek. The critical response improved for Season 2 as the series shifted its tone and became more than a Star Trek spoof.
Fox initially renewed The Orville for Season 3 in 2019, but at San Diego Comic-Con later that year, MacFarlane announced the move to Hulu. The heavy workload combined with the extensive special effects shots meant the series wouldn't be ready for a midseason air date on Fox. With the new home, however, production on the new season would be significantly delayed on several occasions throughout 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After numerous release date shifts, Season 3 is finally set to land on June 2 as announced in the teaser trailer along with a new title, The Orville: New Horizons.
With the new season on the way, it's possible New Horizons could be the end of The Orville. Though MacFarlane and Hulu have yet to confirm anything of the sort, the cast was recently released from their contracts and MacFarlane is currently focusing on new projects, including a Ted prequel series on Peacock.
The Orville: New Horizons premieres June 2 on Hulu.
Source: THR
