The Orville's Uncharted Journey: The Surprising Shift from Fox to Hulu After Season 2

The Orville, a loving homage to Star Trek, made a significant move from its original network home on Fox to the streaming platform Hulu after season 2. This transition was not without its challenges, but the producers had a valid motive behind it. Seth MacFarlane, renowned for his edgy animated shows like Family Guy and American Dad!, ventured into the realm of straightforward science fiction with The Orville. MacFarlane himself stars as Captain Ed Mercer, leading a Starfleet-like spaceship on exploration missions and encountering various predicaments.

In its third season on Hulu, the show took on a new title - The Orville: New Horizons. This name change not only referenced the series' shift to a new streaming platform but also hinted at the increased budget, darker tone, and weightier themes that The Orville embraced after departing from Fox. While the decision to move the show to Hulu may have primarily been a business move, it ended up having a positive impact on the creative aspect as well. Since the transition, The Orville has truly elevated its quality, becoming an even more exceptional production.

The Orville Moved To Hulu Due To Season 3's Production Schedule

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Although The Orville season 3 was originally scheduled to air on Fox like its previous seasons, a mutual decision between MacFarlane and the network led to the show being moved to Hulu (via Deadline). MacFarlane stated that The Orville had undergone significant growth and had become more ambitious in terms of production, posing challenges in delivering season 3 within Fox's timeline. Fox required the new episodes to be ready at a much quicker pace than MacFarlane and the crew could manage in terms of writing, shooting, and editing.

Fortunately, Fox recognized the importance of The Orville and collaborated with MacFarlane to determine the best course for its future. MacFarlane expressed his gratitude for this approach at San Diego Comic-Con, acknowledging that it was precisely this willingness to accommodate the creative needs of a show that had encouraged him to remain involved for such a prolonged period.

How Moving To Hulu Made The Orville Better

The move to Hulu has undoubtedly elevated The Orville, evident in its evolution from season 1 to season 3. While the initial season was met with a lackluster Rotten Tomatoes score of 31%, season 3 achieved an exceptional perfect rating of 100%. The increased budget provided by the streaming platform has greatly enhanced the show's overall quality, resulting in improved practical and visual effects. The show's costumes and sets have also been upgraded, and characters like Isaac and the Kaylon have been given a more robotic appearance. While money alone does not guarantee a superior production, it undeniably contributes to a more immersive and captivating viewing experience.

Furthermore, the shift to streaming has granted The Orville's writing team the freedom to delve into darker and more complex storylines that were not possible on a traditional television network. The season 3 premiere, "Electric Sheep," tackled weighty subjects such as grief, trauma, and suicide, setting the tone for the show's exploration of mature themes. Episode 2, "Shadow Realms," delivered an unsettling space-based horror narrative reminiscent of Alien. Throughout season 3, The Orville continued to address significant issues like morality and gender identity. This bold and sophisticated approach to storytelling bodes well for the show's future, offering a glimpse of its promising potential.

Source: Deadline