Seth MacFarlane’s Latest Update on The Orville Season 4: ‘Nobody Has Told Me It’s Dead, So…’
There is a “better than good possibility” that The Orville will one day fly again, says one member of the sci-fi dramedy’s cast. But what is series creator/on-screen captain Seth MacFarlane‘s current POV — especially in the wake of Adrianne Palicki’s bearish take on a possible Season 4?
An original cast member, Palicki said on a recent podcast that she was “no longer” doing The Orville, thought she couldn’t confirm the Hulu series as cancelled. “I think there’s talk that it could possibly be something that certain people want to do…,” she said, choosing her words carefully, “but it’s a really difficult show to shoot.” Palicki proceeded to detail the long wait between short seasons, and indeed, cast contracts have expired since Season 3’s Summer 2022 run.
TVLine recently spoke with both MacFarlane and Orville castmate Scott Grimes, ahead of the Ted prequel series’ Peacock premiere. (Ted creator MacFarlane again voices the titular bear, while Grimes plays Dad to a young John Bennett, with Parenthood’s Max Burkholder channeling a teenage Mark Wahlberg.)
Asked for the latest prognosis for The Orville, Grimes said that he and MacFarlane talk about continuing the exploration vessel’s adventures “all the time.”
In fact, “right before the strike, it feels like we were going to announce a Season 4,” Grimes told TVLine. That of course didn’t come to pass, but “I think it’s a better than good possibility that we get to do this again,” Lt. Gordon Malloy’s portrayer ventured.
“This is [Seth’s] little child, he loves to do The Orville, and it’d be a shame if we didn’t get to do one more season,” Grimes added. “So I would say that I’m optimistic. That’s what I would say.”
But how optimistic is MacFarlane, the one who’d have to actually write the scripts for and executive-produce the elaborate, not-inexpensive sci-fi production?
“I’m trying to remember what the exact, well-worded politic statement was that Hulu put out…,” MacFarlane began to answer, chuckling. (Refresher: Hulu originals chief Craig Erwich told TVLine last January, “It’s a great show and I know that the fans loved having it back in their lives. And Seth did a great job, uniquely as he can, in front of and behind the camera. But we don’t have anything to share.”)
“All I can say is the same thing that Hulu said, which is the show is not dead,” MacFarlane told TVLine. “Nobody has told me that it’s dead from the network, so we’re proceeding under those auspices.”
When TVLine previously spoke with MacFarlane, following the Season 3 finale, he said that one sticky wicket facing any possible Season 4 was, “How do I work it into everything else that’s now going on?” (including but not limited to Ted). “I will say that I get as emotionally invested in the show as any of the fans, so I will find a way to do it if there is a Season 4.” — With reporting by Ryan Schwartz
I love the Orville! I really hope it comes back. The cast, the writing, the visuals, everything is A+
Please do season four. Love the show and its characters, except Charlie who was rude to Isaac.
Bring the Orville back for a 4th season. It is well done with very good story content. The actress that plays Kelly could be replaced by Megan Wolski, she is very smart and could hold up the part in the looks department for sure. Some new faces and a guest star each episode could help to make the Orville even more interesting to tune into. Think about it.
Let’s go! Season 4!!! Come on!!!
Hopeful. I really enjoy the show love some characters interesting villains. Hopeful
As much as I like watching The Orville, I am not sure if I want it to come back with how the actors are treated. At least according to Adrianne Palicki in her conversation with Michael Rosenbaum about what was happening with the filming. It just didn’t sound like a livable solution for the actors due to how few episodes were shot each year. If they can improve that I would enjoy having more episodes.
I took Adrianne’s comment as not so much the shorter episode count but, with all the season 3 delays, the actors probably had to pass on opportunities for other roles because of contract restrictions. It would be great if their contract allowed them to explore other options while also having to do The Orville.
That being said, I hope the show comes back, even if it takes a while.
Season 3’s delays were 99% Covid related…the gapos between seasons 1 and 2 were no different than any show with 13 episode orders and people did work between seasons of features, guest spots, etc. There was a smaller, but similar gap between 2 and 3 THEN Covid hit.
Don’t blame the show if you couldn’t pick up a guest spot someplace!
My favorite show, I really hope it comes back!
Important to remember that Season 3 episodes were all feature-length: 75 to 90 minutes each. Plus it’s a horrifically expensive show to make; there are rumors that Seth nobly covered overages out of his own pocket. And oh, yeah, he wants to write and direct most of the episodes himself, and that’s on top of producing and starring. So as much as I love the show–and I absolutely do love it–I understand how the sausage is made and that another season may be a long time coming, if ever.
Those of us who loved and supported the series feel screwed over and that there is no further need for hope Boycott any future plans from these people on peacock or elsewhere. They care nothing for us.
Getting a little annoyed by this, just tell us yes or no to a new season already.
I don’t know if I love the idea of doing the show without Palicki if she doesn’t want to come back… Hopefully everything will work out though and they’ll all be back for more
Easy enough to solve, Seth just writes all scripts in advance and guarantees her film schedule
not a fan of Palicki’s character in the show. It can come back without her. And I would love it to come back.
Adore and miss this show! Please come back soon.
Haven’t they already said Ted is a one off season limited series?
It makes more sense to make The Orville movies. Give it a rather modest $50 million budget and see how it performs.
I love the show so much, so don’t take this the wrong way. But I feel like the show “borrows” so many elements from another major movie series (and various tv series), and they’ve been somewhat lucky – to me – that Paramount hasn’t tried legal action. I wonder if an attempt to make movies would be a step too far. (Similar to family guy being so similar to the Simpsons)
That’d be a tough order, considering how many “Trek” vets also work on “Orville.” Was “East New York” a ripoff of “Blue Bloods?” I don’t think so.
This could be next sherlock style show. Seasons whenever it lines up for everybody in the cast and theres a script ready to do
I loved the show!! McFarland and Grimes are favorites of mine!!! So talented! Please I want it back!!
Take it off Disney and Hulu exclusively and sell it on Netflix, Paramount, and etc. Disney is a wasteland of wokeness and the public is tired of the indoctrination!, less fan base to be only on Disney! Orville makes sport of wokeness and makes it palatable. As a trekkie, I can not watch the new Star Trek that bends the knee. Orville is a saving grace, everyone is made fun of! Put it on regular tv, remember that?
Please, please, please do another season of the Orville
This was a tremendous show, but without Adrianne Palicki there really is not point to a season 4.
The Orville has more soul than any science fiction drama I have ever watched. There is a “realness” in the show that touches my heart and makes me a better viewer, indeed, perhaps a better person for having shared these great stories. They encompass all of life’s struggles and possible outcomes for resolution. I certainly want to add my vote to continue The Orville for many more seasons. I’m pulling for Kelly and the Captain to finish being together as they seem almost one being already. Please continue The Orville. It has wonderful content for humanity to learn.