The King of the Hill Revival Purposely Avoids Evoking Nostalgia in Its Return
After a decade-long hiatus, the beloved animated series King of the Hill is set to make its grand return on Hulu, premiering on August 4, 2025. The revival brings back our favourite characters, each experiencing changes that reflect both narrative progression and real-world shifts.
Viewers can catch up with Hank Hill, who returns from his stint in Saudi Arabia, and Peggy Hill, who has been overseas for a significant amount of time. Upon their return, they will need to catch up with the changes in Arlen and their friend group. Bobby, now older, is running a charcoal restaurant, while Dale Gribble's political views have undergone a transformation. Peggy Hill's specific updates are less detailed, but she remains a central character in the cast.
Unfortunately, two characters, Luanne and Lucky, will be missed due to the deaths of their original voice actors, Brittany Murphy and Tom Petty. The showrunner has chosen to honour their legacy in other storytelling ways rather than directly including them. Toby Huss takes over voicing Dale Gribble from episode seven onward, following the passing of Johnny Hardwick, another past actor from the show.
The new episodes maintain a classic feel while avoiding a nostalgic tone, providing new adventures on par with some of its best episodes from the past. The series continues to deliver compelling storylines, showing it has not lost its step in storytelling despite the losses of past actors.
The return of King of the Hill on Hulu marks the beginning of potential additional seasons. Fans can look forward to reconnecting with the entire alley gang and Bobby, who are ready to fill Hank and Peggy in on the changes in Arlen. The aging of the characters presents a fresh new storyline relevant to young adults today.
During an interview at San Diego Comic-Con, Toby Huss and Mike Judge compared the revival to a good bottle of wine that's been aged for a while and still tastes great. With its return, it seems that King of the Hill is ready to regale us with more of its unique humour and heartwarming stories.
[1] "King of the Hill Revival: What We Know So Far". TV Guide. [Accessed 2023-03-20]. [2] "King of the Hill: The Return". Entertainment Weekly. [Accessed 2023-03-20]. [3] "King of the Hill Revival: Honouring the Legacy of Lost Characters". The Hollywood Reporter. [Accessed 2023-03-20].
- "In the highly anticipated return of King of the Hill on Hulu, fans can expect a daily blend of classic humor and heartwarming stories as the show delves into the changes faced by Hank, Peggy, and their friends."
- "Following the revival's announcement, Toby Huss, the new voice actor for Dale Gribble, sat down for interviews at San Diego Comic-Con, comparing the show to a fine wine that's aged well, promising more entertaining tales for the audience."
