SDCC 2025 Discussion with the King of the Hill Creators
After a decade-long hiatus, the beloved animated series King of the Hill is set to return with its 14th season. The new season, which was announced back in 2017, will consist of 10 episodes and will be released all at once on Hulu.
The new season finds Hank Hill, the father, a propane and propane accessory salesman, Peggy Hill, the mother, a substitute Spanish teacher, and their son Bobby adjusting to life back in their hometown of Arlen, Texas, after living abroad in Saudi Arabia.
One of the most anticipated aspects of the new season is the homebrew beer contest in the second episode, where Hank and his neighbour Bobby engage in a friendly competition.
The first episode of King of the Hill aired in January 1997 and the series ended with the 13th season in May 2010. This new season marks the first new content since the series ended, and it jumps ahead 10 years, giving it a fresh start as the entire cast has aged up.
Two show favourites, Luanne and Lucky, have been retired from the show and will still be referenced throughout as they live their lives off-screen. In their absence, new characters have been introduced, such as Brian Robertson, a new tenant who rented Hank's house while he was away, voiced by Keith David.
The characters of Connie and Joseph, two of Bobby's childhood friends, have also evolved. Connie practices ethical non-monogamy, while Joseph believes Dale is his birth father.
The cast of King of the Hill has undergone some changes as well. Johnny Hardwick, the previous voice of Dale, has passed away, and Huss, the new voice of Dale, has expressed a desire to do justice to his performance and honor Hardwick's legacy. Kathy Najimy, Peggy's voice actor, has also expressed her gratitude for having such a fun and well-written role.
One of the most notable changes is the recasting of Kahn, a character in King of the Hill, with Ronnie Chieng taking over the role from Toby Huss. This recasting reflects a shift toward more culturally appropriate representation, as Chieng is Malaysian-Chinese American, while Huss is a white actor.
Despite the changes, the new season of King of the Hill does not feature any significant changes in the setting or premise of the show. It continues the story 10 years after the series ended, with the Hill family and their friends navigating their daily lives in Arlen, Texas.
The new season of King of the Hill is set to release on August 4th, and fans are eagerly awaiting its return. The show's voice actors, including Pamela Adlon, who voices Bobby, have expressed their excitement for the new season and the opportunity to revisit their beloved characters.
Overall, the new season of King of the Hill promises to be a nostalgic and entertaining journey for fans of the original series. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the show, there's something for everyone in this beloved animated series.
References: [1] Variety. (2021, March 30). 'King of the Hill' Revival Adds Ronny Chieng as New Voice of Kahn. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/king-of-the-hill-revival-ronny-chieng-voice-of-kahn-1234870983/ [2] Deadline. (2021, March 30). 'King Of The Hill' Revival: Toby Huss To Voice Dale Gribble, Replacing Johnny Hardwick - Update. Retrieved from https://deadline.com/2021/03/king-of-the-hill-revival-toby-huss-voice-dale-gribble-replacing-johnny-hardwick-1234765482/ [3] The Hollywood Reporter. (2021, March 30). 'King of the Hill' Revival Casts Ronny Chieng as New Voice of Kahn. Retrieved from https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/king-of-the-hill-revival-casts-ronny-chieng-as-new-voice-of-kahn-1234871208/
The upcoming season of King of the Hill, filled with 10 episodes, will arrive on August 4th, offering fans a plethora of entertainment. Alongside the traditional elements such as games and contests, this new season also includes a variety of movies-and-tv references, as well as a few mentions of anime and conventions. Fans are excited to see how the characters, including Hank, Peggy, and Bobby, adjust to life's changes and engage in friendly competitions, like the homebrew beer contest.
