Hulu Orders Seasons 16 and 17 of ‘King of the Hill’ Amidst Revival Success

Fans of the iconic animated sitcom King of the Hill have reason to celebrate as Hulu has officially renewed the revival for two additional seasons, bringing the beloved series to its 17th season overall. This significant extension, comprising 20 new episodes, underscores the immense success and critical acclaim of the show’s return to the fictional town of Arlen, Texas.

The announcement follows the triumphant debut of Season 14 earlier this year, which captivated both long-time devotees and new audiences with its fresh yet faithful take on the Hill family and their unique perspective on modern American life.

The Revival’s Resounding Success

The decision to greenlight Seasons 16 and 17 comes after Season 14’s impressive performance across various metrics. The latest season, which premiered on August 4, 2025, quickly climbed to the number two spot on Nielsen’s Overall Top 10 Streaming chart, demonstrating its widespread appeal.

Critically, the revival has been a resounding success, earning a “Certified Fresh” rating of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. Viewers have also flocked to the series, with King of the Hill accumulating over 1 billion hours streamed globally across Hulu and Disney+. Critics praised Season 14 for skillfully recapturing the original series’ spirit while evolving its characters and themes to reflect contemporary society.

Returning to Arlen: A New Era for the Hills

The revived series picked up roughly eight to fifteen years after the original run concluded in 2010, introducing audiences to a new chapter in the lives of Hank, Peggy, and Bobby Hill. In Season 14, Hank and Peggy return to Arlen after a period spent in Saudi Arabia, where Hank worked in the propane industry to secure their retirement. Their return finds Arlen a changed place, prompting the Hills to navigate a new cultural landscape alongside their familiar friends Dale, Boomhauer, and Bill.

A significant development in the revival is the aging of Bobby Hill, who is now in his twenties and pursuing a career as a chef in Dallas. This time jump allows for fresh storylines exploring Bobby’s adult life and his evolving relationship with his parents.

Familiar Voices and Notable Cast Changes

A core element of the revival’s appeal is the return of much of the original voice cast, ensuring the beloved characters retain their authentic personalities. Co-creator Mike Judge reprises his roles as Hank Hill and Boomhauer, while Kathy Najimy returns as Peggy Hill and Pamela Adlon as Bobby Hill.

Following the passing of original voice actor Johnny Hardwick in 2023, Toby Huss, who previously voiced Cotton Hill and Kahn Souphanousinphone in the original series, has taken over the role of Dale Gribble. Hardwick recorded lines for the initial seven episodes of Season 14, with Huss seamlessly continuing the character’s voice from episode eight onwards.

Additionally, the revival has introduced new voice actors for several recurring characters to ensure appropriate representation. For instance, Ronny Chieng now voices Kahn Souphanousinphone, Kenneth Choi voices Ted Wassanasong, and Tai Leclaire voices Joseph Gribble.

The Creative Minds Behind the Revival

The continued success of King of the Hill on Hulu is shepherded by its original co-creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, who serve as executive producers. Saladin Patterson, known for his work on The Wonder Years, joins the team as the showrunner and an executive producer, bringing a fresh perspective while honoring the show’s legacy.

Other executive producers include Michael Rotenberg and Howard Klein from 3 Arts, and Dustin Davis from Bandera Entertainment, the animation company co-founded by Judge and Daniels. 20th Television Animation is the studio behind the production.

Showrunner Saladin Patterson has discussed the team’s approach to updating the animation style, noting that while the new digital techniques lead to a different aesthetic compared to the original hand-drawn and watercolor methods, significant effort was made to retain the familiar feel of Arlen.

Looking Ahead to Seasons 16 and 17

With Season 15 scheduled to debut in 2026, the subsequent renewal for Seasons 16 and 17 promises an extended future for the Hill family and their neighbors. Each of these new seasons will consist of 10 episodes, offering ample opportunities for the series to continue its blend of humor, social commentary, and heartfelt character development.

The ongoing commitment from Hulu and the positive reception from audiences suggest that King of the Hill remains a relevant and cherished part of the animated television landscape. Its ability to evolve with its characters and the world around them, while staying true to its core identity, positions it as a standout example of a successful animated revival.