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When Seth MacFarlane’s The Orville launched on Fox in 2017, many dismissed it as a Star Trek spoof. However, viewers soon found the show was an homage to Trek which stood on its own feet. At the recent Indiana Comic Convention, longtime Trek veteran Jonathan Frakes — who played Riker in The Next Generation before going on to direct many episodes of other series — explained the credentials behind the show’s pedigree.

As part of a Star Trek: The Next Generation panel — featuring Frakes, Brent Spiner, and Denise Crosby — a fan asked the stars about their opinion of The Orville. Frakes was quick to praise the critically acclaimed show, highlighting the love with which MacFarlane created the space drama.

"Nepenthe" -- Episode #107 -- Pictured: Jonathan Frakes as William Riker of the the CBS All Access series Star Trek: Picard. Photo Cr: Aaron Epstein/CBS ©2019 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Last month, Amazon announced that it would not be renewing The Wheel of Time, based on the books by Robert Jordan, for a fourth season. The epic fantasy show had really hit its stride in season 3, with the cast, crew and story all congealing. There was still a ton of story left to tell, and after season 3, fans had hope that this show could tell it and tell it well.

So of course that was when Amazon and Sony pulled the plug, breaking the news on a Friday afternoon when it figured everyone would be too busy preparing for the weekend to notice. For a show to have the legs cut out from under it right when it was standing tall hurt, and we hope for the best as fans campaign to find the series a new home.

This isn't the first time a network has pulled something like this.

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The Orville is a sci-fi adventure comedy-drama series created by Seth MacFarlane. The Hulu series is set in the 25th century, and it follows Captain Edward “Ed” Mercer as he and his crew take their USS Orville spacecraft on various adventures in different parts of the galaxy. The Orville stars Seth MacFarlane, Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald, Halston Sage, Scott Grimes, Peter Macon, J. Lee, Mark Jackson, Jessica Szohr, and Anne Winters. So, if you loved the hilarious comedy, a sci-fi story, and entertaining characters in The Orville, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Avenue 5 (Max & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – HBO

Avenue 5 is a sci-fi dark comedy series created by Armando Iannucci. The HBO series is set on a fictional interplanetary cruise ship, Avenue 5, and it follows Captain Ryan Clark and...

"Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" only had eight central cast members listed as its regulars in the opening credits, but by the end of its seventh and final season, it had no fewer than 30 members in its ensemble. Like on "The Simpsons," all of the supporting players on "Deep Space Nine" expanded as the series went on, with many of them getting story arcs of their own. Actors like Andrew J. Robinson, Penny Johnson Jerald, Marc Alaimo, Max Grodénchik, Aron Eisenberg, Louise Fletcher, and Jeffrey Combs may have only technically played recurring characters, but they were just as important to the sweeping narrative of "Deep Space Nine" as the main cast. 

Case in point: Chase Masterson played a character named Leeta, a Bajoran woman who worked in Quark's Bar. Leeta was a dabo girl, hired to spin a Ferengi roulette wheel and look pretty. She was first introduced in...

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Castle is a police procedural mystery crime comedy-drama series created by Andrew W. Marlow. The ABC series follows Richard Castle, a popular mystery novelist who becomes a consultant and works together with NYPD homicide detective Kate Beckett to solve several complex murder cases to get inspiration for his next book. Castle stars Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Susan Sullivan, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Molly C. Quinn, Jon Huertas, Tamala Jones, Seamus Dever, and Penny Johnson Jerald. So, if you loved the thrilling mysteries, entertaining comedy-drama, and compelling characters in Castle, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Carter (Hallmark+ & Prime Video Add-On) Credit – CTV Drama Channel

Carter is a Canadian police procedural crime comedy-drama series created by Gary Campbell. The CTV Drama series follows Harley Carter, a popular Hollywood TV star who returns to his hometown after a public meltdown.

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Resident Alien is a sci-fi adventure mystery comedy-drama series created by Chris Sheridan. Based on the comic book of the same name by Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse, the Syfy series is set in a small Colorado town, and it follows an alien who crash-lands on Earth and takes on the form of a vacationing physician after killing him. His mission is to destroy Earth, but after living amongst humans, he begins thinking and feeling like them. Resident Alien stars Alan Tudyk, Sara Tomko, Corey Reynolds, Alice Wetterlund, Levi Fiehler, Judah Prehn, and Elizabeth Bowen. So, if you loved the sci-fi elements, interesting stories, and entertaining characters in Resident Alien, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

3rd Rock from the Sun (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – NBC

3rd Rock from the Sun is a...

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The Mentalist is a police procedural mystery crime thriller drama series created by Bruno Heller. The CBS series follows Patrick Jane, who has exceptional observational skills. He used to pretend to be a psychic to earn money but now works as a consultant to the Cbi to catch dangerous criminals. His main goal behind joining the Cbi is to catch the notorious serial killer, Red John, who murdered Patrick’s family. The Mentalist stars Simon Baker, Robin Tunney, Tim Kang, Owain Yeoman, Amanda Righetti, Rockmond Dunbar, Emily Swallow, Joe Adler, and Josie Loren. So, if you loved the compelling stories, thrilling mysteries, and entertaining characters in The Mentalist, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Castle Credit – ABC

Castle is a police procedural mystery crime comedy-drama series created by Andrew W. Marlowe. The ABC series...

Seth MacFarlane's The Orville has received high praise from Star Trek: The Next Generation actor Jonathan Frakes. A fan asked him about the parody series at this year's Indiana Comic Convention.

Reported by Collider, a fan asked Frakes, who played William Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation, his thoughts about Seth MacFarlane's beloved series. The Orville both parodies and pays homage to Star Trek and the Next Generation eras, while also taking inspiration from Star Wars to tell a sci-fi comedy story, with the crew of its space-ship going on serialized adventures. Frakes spoke highly of both MacFarlane and his work, saying, "Seth MacFarlane is arguably our biggest celebrity fan."

One of the reasons Frakes had such nice things to say about The Orville was due to the way MacFarlane utilized Star Trek veteran creatives for the series. "He hired Brannon Braga, who worked on a lot of our best stuff.

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Wild Cards is a police procedural crime comedy-drama series created by Michael Konyves. The CW series follows down-and-out police detective Ellis, who had been demoted to the maritime unit, but his life changes when he is ordered to transport Max, a brilliant con woman. When Max helps Ellis in solving a major case, both of them are given an opportunity to work together. Wild Cards stars Vanessa Morgan, Giacomo Gianniotti, Jason Priestley, Terry Chen, Michael Xavier, and Karin Konoval. So, if you loved the entertaining stories, thrilling mysteries, and compelling characters in Wild Cards, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

White Collar Credit – USA Network

White Collar is a police procedural crime comedy-drama series created by Jeff Eastin. The USA Network series follows Neal Caffrey, a brilliant and charming con artist, and forger who...

The fate of The Orville remains undecided. After three seasons, it could all be over in a blink of an eye. Still, if all we got were three seasons, then what a wonderful three seasons it was. The series won over fans by embracing the core concepts of Star Trek. Granted, it was with a humorous twist most times, but the idea of pushing for a brighter future while also pushing important cultural conversations was straight out of the Star Trek playbook.

The fact that The Orville so lovingly modeled itself after the prime years of Star Trek (1987-2005), and the shows that came with it isn't some random act. Many of the men and women who worked on those iconic shows 20 to 30-odd years ago were brought in by Seth MacFarlane to help launch and mold The Orville into a spiritual successor to all of those wonderful Star Trek shows of the 80s,...

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Good Cop/Bad Cop is a police procedural comedy-drama series created by John Quaintance. The CW series is set in a small town, and it follows the brother-sister duo of detectives, Lou and Henry Hickman, as they work together under their Big Hank Hickman to solve various crimes. Good Cop/Bad Cop stars Leighton Meester, Luke Cook, Clancy Brown, Devon Terrell, Scott Lee, William McKenna, Shamita Siva, Blazey Best, Grace Chow, and Philippa Northeast. So, if you loved the interesting mysteries, entertaining interpersonal relationships, and compelling characters in Good Cop/Bad Cop, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Good Cop (Netflix) Credit – Netflix

The Good Cop is a police procedural comedy-drama series created by Andy Breckman. Based on the Israeli TV show of the same name by Erez Aviram, Tomer Aviram, and Yuval Semo, the Netflix...

Never underestimate the power of independent art. Kahlil Joseph’s experimental movie Blknws: Terms & Conditions will definitely be making its world premiere here at Sundance. The festival just released a statement. The movie was pulled by the pic’s financially embattled financier Participant after accusing the filmmaker that he was submitting a secret cut of the film to Sundance and Berlin.

“Sundance Film Festival is overjoyed to welcome Blknws: Terms & Conditions back to the Festival lineup. This boundary-pushing, relentlessly innovative art deserves to be shared after years of work by the filmmaking team, and the Festival is proud to have it as part of our programming,” reads a statement tonight.

Blknws will have a press and industry screening tomorrow, Sunday, Jan. 26 at 1Pm Mt at the Holiday Village Cinemas. The premiere will happen on Monday, Jan. 27, 9Am Mt at the Egyptian Theater.

How did the pic get back on the sked?...

Resident Alien stands out as a tasty blend of quirky humor, offbeat storytelling, and heartfelt moments amidst its sci-fi backdrop – and there are more shows like it out there. Resident Alien stars Alan Tudyk as Harry Vanderspeigle, a flawed, genocidal alien who poses as a small-town Colorado doctor and eventually becomes sympathetic to the human cause.

The show dives into everything from offbeat human interactions to larger existential matters. Whether it’s the off-kilter small-town atmosphere, clever humor, or supernatural storylines, there are a handful of sci-fi comedy shows that capture a similar balance likely to tick all the right boxes with Resident Alien viewers.

The Orville (2017-Present) 36 Episodes

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The Orville

Created by Seth McFarlane and set in the 25th century, The Orville follows the crew of the titular ship and its captain, Ed Mercer (McFarlane) as they explore the galaxy.

Some comedy shows take a while to get into their rhythm, but others manage to hook their audiences from the very first episode. It can take writers and actors some time to find the comedic flavor of a new show. Comedy relies so much on chemistry and timing that a perfect comedic pilot is rare. These things can take a long time to build up. However, some hilarious shows capture lightning in a bottle from their first outing.

There are many great comedy shows which started off a little slowly. Seinfeld, for example, has an odd first season that doesn't quite nail the comedic rhythms that the show is known for, and The Office takes some time to distinguish itself from its British counterpart. Not all comedy shows suffer from the same affliction, however. Shows like Futurama, How I Met Your Mother and Derry Girls hit the ground running.

Related...

Most "Star Trek" captains have a signature look. Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) both have truly fabulous hair, while Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) is known for being clean-shaven and bald. But "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" captain Benjamin Sisko, played by Avery Brooks, went through a bit more change than the average leader on the series. It makes sense in the show; Sisko is arguably the best and most complex "Star Trek" captain, and he goes through the stresses of commanding a space station during a terrible war. Anyone who grows and changes as much as he does is bound to alter their appearance a bit, but the real-life reasons for Sisko's changing looks between the seasons were a little more frustrating.

Throughout most of the first three seasons of "Deep Space Nine," Brooks is clean-shaven, growing a goatee toward the end of season 3. In the season 4 premiere,...

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Psych is one of those shows that always has a special place in the hearts of its viewers because of the bonds and relationships in the series, and the absolutely hilarious comedy and thrilling mysteries are an added bonus. Psych follows the story of Shawn Spencer (James Roday), a young man with acute observational skills, who becomes a police consultant after making them believe that he is a psychic. He comes across many mysteries he has to solve with the help of his friend Gus (Dulé Hill). There are no shows quite like Psych but we have a list of the best shows that are similar to the series in some aspects of their storyline whether it be the bromance, quirky teams, or murder mysteries. So, if you also miss the series here are the 10 best comedy shows...

The Rookie is definitely one of the most fun and thrilling procedural series of recent times. Created by Alexi Hawley, the ABC stars the always wonderful Nathan Fillion in the lead role of John Nolan, a middle-aged small-town man who decides to become the oldest rookie in the LAPD after a life-altering incident. The Rookie recently concluded its sixth season and has been renewed for a seventh season. So, if you love the compelling characters, grounded action, and thrilling stories in The Rookie here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Rookie: Feds (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – ABC

The Rookie: Feds is a police procedural action crime-drama series created by Alex Hawley and Terence Paul Winter. The ABC series serves as spin-off to The Rookie and it follows Simone Clark, a former school counselor as she becomes the oldest rookie in the FBI Academy at the...

The future of The Orville is becoming a bit more clear. The sci-fi comedy-drama series' third season was released in Summer 2022, and the show's fate has been up in the air, in part because it takes a long time to film. The series has yet to be officially cancelled or renewed for a fourth year on Hulu.

Starring creator Seth MacFarlane, Scott Grimes, Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald, Peter Macon, J Lee, Mark Jackson, Jessica Szohr, and Anne Winters, The Orville series follows the crew of the USS Orville on their travels through space 400 years in the future. It was heavily inspired by Star Trek: The Next Generation. and ran for two seasons before moving to Hulu.

Read More…...

The Orville season 4's filming start window has reportedly just been revealed. Created by Seth MacFarlane, the popular Star Trek parody series premiered in 2017, most recently returning for an acclaimed season 3 in 2022. Since then, however, news regarding The Orville season 4 has been hard to come by, and Hulu has essentially kept the show on ice.

Now, Parks and Cons (via TheWrap) shares that Scott Grimes, who plays Lt. Gordon Malloy, offered an update on The Orville season 4 while attending the Star Trek Las Vegas convention.

Scott Grimes thanks the #Stlv community for embracing #TheOrville and shares that he believes filming for season 4 begins in January or February pic.twitter.com/WEhlnRky8L Parks And Cons (@ParksAndCons) August 3, 2024

While no direct quote from Grimes is shared, the actor reportedly revealed that production on The Orville season 4 "begins in January or February [2025]." A similar sentiment was also shared by Trek Profiles Podcast:...

The Orville star Scott Grimes gives fans an optimistic update on the hotly anticipated fourth season of Seth MacFarlane's hit sci-fi dramedy.

Per ComicBook.com, Grimes discussed the future of the series during the recently concluded San Diego Comic-Con 2024. Reportedly, Grimes told fans that a fourth season of The Orville would begin filming shortly after the new year, leaving viewers hopeful for a 2025 release. So far, neither the official social media accounts for The Orville nor streaming service Hulu have made any official statements regarding the news.

Related Michelle Yeoh Stayed 'Completely Committed' to Star Trek: Section 31 After Oscar Win

Executive producer Alex Kurtzman opens up about Michelle Yeoh's return in the upcoming Star Trek: Section 31 feature film.

Seth MacFarlane's live-action send-up of classic sci-fi franchises such as Star Trek, The Orville premiered on Fox in 2017. Starring MacFarlane as Captain Ed Mercer of the series' titular starship, The Orville featured...

A Bajoran prophecy in Star Trek: DS9 season 3, episode 15, "Destiny", may have foreshadowed Sisko's fate in the finale. Trakor's Fourth Prophecy about Sisko's fiery trial may refer to the DS9 finale or Sisko's role in defeating the Dominion. Trakor's Fourth Prophecy was interpretative, which means it could refer to multiple big Sisko moments from Star Trek: DS9.

A forgotten episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 3 foreshadowed the ultimate fate of Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) in DS9's finale. In the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine finale, "What You Leave Behind", Sisko had a final confrontation with Gul Dukat (Marc Alaimo) in the Bajoran Fire Caves, which saw both men plunge into the flames together. While Dukat was killed, Sisko was rescued by the Prophets, who set him to work in the Celestial Temple. Interestingly, the fire and brimstone nature of Sisko's DS9 ending was foreshadowed much earlier in the show's run.

Lt. Worf's human brother, Nikolai Rozhenko, portrayed by Paul Sorvino, appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 7. Nikolai Rozhenko served as a cultural observer for the United Federation of Planets and had a child with a villager on Boraal II. Worf's unique upbringing as a Klingon raised by human parents contributed to his internal conflict and shaped his character throughout Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine.

Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn) had a human brother in Star Trek: The Next Generation, portrayed by Goodfellas actor Paul Sorvino in his one onscreen Star Trek appearance. Worf was introduced in Tng's premiere episode with the rest of the crew of the USS Enterprise-d, but the Klingon Starfleet officer didn't get much to do in Tng season 1. After the death of Lt. Tasha Yar (Denise Crosby), Worf became Chief of Security and began featuring in more storylines. Having been raised by human parents,...

Alanna Ubach's role as Susan in Ted showcases a reserved and easygoing mom dealing with wild antics and an explosive husband. The Ted prequel has revived the comedy franchise with a new ensemble cast and holds the highest review scores in the franchise. Alanna Ubach reflects on the fan support for season 1 as a special experience, discusses the humor and family dynamic of the show, teases season 2 plans, as well as her potential Legally Blonde 3 return, Euphoria season 3 development and Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles villain.

After years of success on both the big and small screens, Alanna Ubach is being eyed for awards consideration for her work in Ted. Ubach first broke out with her supporting role in the Legally Blonde movies as one of Elle's best friends, Serena, before finding further success in the Ryan Reynolds-led restaurant comedy Waiting..., Nickelodeon's El Tigre:...

"Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" is unlike any other "Star Trek" series, diverging from franchise creator Gene Roddenberry's vision after his death and digging into stories and characters that were more morally gray than the original series or "Star Trek: The Next Generation." "Deep Space Nine" took place on board the space station Deep Space Nine, located in a key position near the freshly liberated planet of Bajor and a newly discovered wormhole to another quadrant of the universe. Several seasons are occupied with the Dominion War, forcing "Star Trek" to contend with concepts like terrorism, torture, and more, making it one of the darkest of all of the "Trek" shows. Thankfully, however, the show also has a secret comedy card: the Ferengi.

The big-eared, bulbous headed aliens obsessed with capitalism were something of a bad stereotype in the franchise until "Deep Space Nine," where they finally got a...

While, Hulu is not as flashy as some of the other streaming services like Netflix, Max, and Disney+, it has a solid library of shows that are both originals and licensed through various studios. Regarding sci-fi shows, Hulu doesn’t have any big names like 3 Body Problem or Westworld, but it makes up for that by carrying some great new and old shows like Devs and The X-Files, which were loved by millions of people. So, we thought of making a list of the best sci-fi TV shows you can find on Hulu right now.

Rick and Morty Credit – Adult Swim

Rick and Morty is an adult animated sci-fi adventure comedy series created by Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland. The Adult Swim series follows the story of Rick Sanchez, the smartest man on Earth who lives with his daughter’s family. Rick and his grandson go on various life-threatening...

Adrianne Palicki, the American actress who stands at an impressive height of 5 feet 11 inches (180.3 cm), is widely known for her roles in TV series like “Friday Night Lights,” “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D,” and “The Orville,” as well as in films such as “John Wick” and “G.I. Joe: Retaliation.”

Adrianne Palicki, standing tall at 5 feet 11 inches (180.3 cm), dwarfs her “The Orville” co-stars. Penny Johnson Jerald is 5 feet 4.5 inches (163.8 cm), Jessica Szohr is 5 feet 5.5 inches (166.4 cm), and Anne Winters is 5 feet 1 inch (154.9 cm). The height difference is striking, highlighting Adrianne’s impressive stature.

Jessica Szohr, Anne Winters, Adrianne Palicki, and Penny Johnson Jerald attend the 2022 ABC Disney Upfront, showcasing their notable height differences, at Basketball City – Pier 36 – South Street on May 17, 2022, in New York City (Credit: John Nacion / Startraksphoto / Cover Images)

Interview Insights on Adrianne’s Height

In an interview with Vulture, she mentioned, “I’m almost six foot tall,” in another interview with RipItUp,...

The “Ted” prequel series has been renewed for Season 2 at Peacock, Variety has learned.

Originally presented as an event series, the seven-episode first season of “Ted” debuted on the streamer in January. It serves as a prequel to the two “Ted” feature films, which were released in 2012 and 2015.

Per Peacock, the show became its most-watched original title to date and was also the top streaming comedy in the U.S. for more than two consecutive months, according to Nielsen data.

The series takes place in the early 1990s in Framingham, Mass. It follows the lives of Ted (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) and his 16 year old best friend, John (Max Burkholder). Ted’s fame has waned and he is now once again living with John and his family.

The series also stars Scott Grimes and Alanna Ubach as John’s parents, Matty and Susan, along with Giorgia Whigham as John’s cousin Blaire.

Warning: Spoilers for Star Trek: Discovery Season 5

Star Trek: Discovery season 5 features the first major wedding of Star Trek characters in 22 years. Captain Saru chooses to become an Ambassador, leading to a surprising proposal from President T'Rina. Weddings for major Star Trek characters are still a rare occurrence.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5 will present the first wedding of major Star Trek characters in 22 years. Written by showrunner Michelle Paradise and directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi, Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 1, "Red Directive," centers on Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) hunting for an ancient power belonging to the Progenitors, who were introduced in the classic Star Trek: The Next Generation season 6 episode, "The Chase". Meanwhile, Captain Saru (Doug Jones) and President T'Rina (Tara Rosling) take a major step in their relationship.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5's premiere is a crossroads for Captain Saru. Although the Kelpien loyally serves his dear friend, Captain...

This article contains spoilers for The Orville, Star Trek: The Original Series, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Featuring broad comedy and characters who don’t seem to be taking their jobs very seriously, the first trailer for The Orville suggested that the Fox series would be a spoof of Star Trek.

In said trailer, Captain Mercer (Seth MacFarlane) tries to eat a marble and asks an alien to move over so he is framed better in the viewscreen. Lt. Gordon Malloy (Scott Grimes) drinks beer while on duty, flying a shuttle, at 9:15 a.m. Commander Kelly Grayson’s (Adrianne Palicki) former marriage to Mercer is treated to rather stale “comic” arguments about going to therapy. Mercer’s reaction to Lt. Commander Bortus’s (Peter Macon) species being entirely male is to observe, with truly cutting and original wit, that they probably don’t have many arguments about leaving the toilet seat up.

Gates McFadden, known for her role as Dr. Beverly Crusher in Star Trek, would be a great addition to The Orville, possibly playing a mentor figure to Dr. Claire Finn. Jeffrey Combs, a versatile actor known for his various roles in Star Trek, would be a natural fit for The Orville and could play anything from a villainous Krill to a Union officer. Battlestar Galactica star Michelle Forbes would make a fantastic Orville admiral, bringing a stern and authoritative presence to the show and providing a great foil for Captain Ed Mercer.

While the future of The Orville is still uncertain, there's a long list of dream cameos should Seth MacFarlane's sci-fi comedy drama be renewed for season 4. Across three seasons, The Orville has had an impressive array of celebrity cameos from Hollywood movie stars to beloved Star Trek actors. As the creator of Family Guy and the Ted movies,...

Seth MacFarlane confirms that he is working on The Orville season 4. Season 3 of the show aired its finale in August 2022, and Hulu has neither cancelled nor renewed it since. Cast members of The Orville have expressed hope and optimism for season 4, except for Adrianne Palicki, who seemingly won't be involved if the show returns.

The Orville season 4 gets a positive new update from series creator Seth MacFarlane. First airing in 2017, the Star Trek-inspired comedy show follows MacFarlane's Captain Ed Mercer and his crew as they explore the galaxy. After the The Orville season 3 finale released on Hulu in August 2022, the show's future has been up in the air, with numerous conflicting updates regarding how or if it will continue.

Now, during a recent interview on Logically Speaking, MacFarlane provides a short but sweet update regarding The Orville season 4.

The creator explains how rewarding the show is to work on...

Avery Brooks chose to play Captain Benjamin Sisko for his strong character and the importance of being a good father to his son. Brooks had concerns about Sisko leaving his wife and child behind in the series finale, as it played into stereotypes about Black father figures. If Star Trek revisits Sisko's story, there is a way to keep him with the Prophets and be a present father through the power of visions and being outside of time.

Even 30 years after its debut, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine remains, perhaps, the most singular entry in the nearly 60-year-old universe Gene Roddenberry created. From the examination of non-Federation alien cultures to the seasons-long war arc, it was as powerful as it was different from what came before. However, the series finale of Deep Space Nine made a mistake its star objected to, but there is a straightforward way some future Star Trek story can fix it.

Star Trek and The X-Files had many actors in common due to their episodic formats and the need for new actors each episode to portray aliens or monsters. Notable actors who appeared in both shows include Callum Keith Rennie, Mark Sheppard, Terry O'Quinn, Tony Todd, and Susanna Thompson. Other actors who crossed over include Kurtwood Smith, Penny Johnson Jerald, Denise Crosby, Andrew Robinson, and Anthony Rapp, showcasing the interconnectedness of these popular science fiction series.

As two of the most popular science fiction shows of all time, Star Trek and The X-Files share not only much of the same audience, but also many of the same actors. From the adventures of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the USS Enterprise-d to those of Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) and space station Deep Space 9, Star Trek had a presence on television throughout all of the 1990s. With their episodic formats, both...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Star Trek: Lower Decks' season 4 finale, "Old Friends, New Planets."

Lieutenant Jg Beckett Mariner tries to stop Nick Locarno from detonating his stolen Genesis Device, highlighting his bitter and resentful nature. The episode humorously acknowledges the similarity between Tom Paris and Nick Locarno, with Lt. Jg Bradward Boimler failing to see the resemblance. Nick Locarno's character was deemed irredeemable in Star Trek: Voyager due to his role in the Nova Squadron scandal, while Paris was easier to redeem.

Star Trek: Lower Decks' season 4 finale makes a perfect joke about Star Trek: Voyager's Lt. Tom Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill) and his Doppelgänger. In "Old Friends, New Planets", Lieutenant Jg Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) tries to prevent Nick Locarno (Robert Duncan McNeill) from detonating his stolen Genesis Device. Independent Captain Locarno has assembled Nova Fleet, a supposed coalition of equals that is nothing of the sort. Tossed...

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine featured a variety of unique love stories, from committed relationships to complicated attractions and unexpected pairings. Rom and Leeta's relationship helped transform the Ferengi from failed villains into a more nuanced alien culture on the cusp of positive change. Some love stories, like the one between Worf and Ezri, were complicated by past memories, while others, like Gul Dukat and Kira's mother, revealed the complexities of the Cardassian occupation.

There are lots of weird love stories across the history of the Star Trek franchise and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is no exception. Of all the Star Trek shows, DS9 has the most enduring romantic relationships in the entire franchise from stalwarts Chief Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney) and Keiko O'Brien (Rosalind Chao) to Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) and Kasidy Yates (Penny Johnson Jerald). While these couples were perfectly matched, there were other romantic partnerships...

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine missed the opportunity to explore a potentially groundbreaking love story between Sisko and Dax. Jadzia Dax's fluid approach to gender and sexuality was not fully developed, despite her becoming a trans icon. Sisko and Dax had separate love stories with other characters, but their potential romance was never explored further.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine teased, then swiftly dropped a potentially groundbreaking love story between Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) and Lt. Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell). In DS9's pilot, Benjamin meets Jadzia who has succeeded his mentor Curzon as host of the Daz symbiont, noting that it "will take some getting used to." Avery Brooks clearly plays the line as if Sisko is attracted to Jadzia, but this is never explored in any great detail. In fact, two episodes later in "A Man Apart", DS9 spends 45 minutes establishing the boundaries for Sisko and Dax's...

The future of "The Orville" season 4 remains uncertain, with no official confirmation from Hulu due to industry challenges and strikes causing delays. Seth MacFarlane and Chad L. Coleman express cautious optimism about the possibility of season 4, citing streamer challenges and McFarlane's strong working relationship with Disney as potential factors. The cast, including Adrianne Palicki and Penny Johnson Jerald, are eager to return for season 4, but the ongoing industry issues create complications.

Over a year after the season 3 finale aired, there's yet to be official confirmation of whether Hulu has renewed The Orville for season 4, though the cast has made some promising comments over the past 12 months. The appropriately titled Orville season 3 finale, "Future Unknown" ended on an upbeat and open-ended note, with a happy ending for Dr. Claire Finn (Penny Johnson Jerald) and Isaac (Mark Jackson) and a romantic reconciliation between Bortus (Peter Macon) and Klyden (Chad L. Coleman). However,...

The confrontation between Sisko and Picard in DS9's pilot goes beyond their roles as Locutus of Borg and Sisko's grief; it highlights their fundamental differences as Starfleet officers and lead characters. The conflict between them is rooted in Picard's issues with fatherhood and his inability to understand Sisko's desire to raise his son in an ideal environment. Sisko proves that it is possible to be both a loving father and a dedicated Starfleet officer, challenging Picard's belief that officers should prioritize their duty over their family. Sisko becomes Star Trek's best father figure and helps DS9 establish its own unique identity.

The confrontation between Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) and Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's pilot is legendary, but there's a much deeper meaning to their feud that goes beyond Locutus of Borg. In DS9's pilot episode, "Emissary", Picard invited...

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Warning: Contains Spoilers for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 9,"Subspace Rhapsody."

Captains Sisko and Burnham are the only ones who have successfully balanced their romantic relationships with Starfleet's demands. Captain Pike is defying tradition by pursuing a long-term relationship with Captain Batel despite the challenges they face. The relationships between Sisko and Kassidy, and Michael and Book overcame serious obstacles, indicating hope for Pike and Batel in the face of a possible Gorn war and Pike's tragic future.

Only Captains Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) and Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) have been able to achieve what Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) is attempting in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2. In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' musical episode, Pike's romantic relationship with Captain Marie Batel (Melissa Scrofano) hits another stumbling block when they disagree over vacation plans. However, a bigger challenge to their relationship...

Several storylines will be left incomplete if The Orville doesn't return for season 4. The fate of Seth MacFarlane's sci-fi comedy-drama is still unknown following The Orville's season 3 finale, but cast members were seemingly positive about the show's chances. The return of The Orville will be further delayed by the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike, which has halted all work on future TV and movie projects while writers seek a fairer deal from studios. These delays could ultimately work in The Orville's favor as streamers could scramble for shows with a demonstrable audience to fill the gaps in their schedules left by the strike.

For now, it's unclear if The Orville will return or get canceled. If it's the latter then it would be hugely disappointing because there are many stories left unresolved by the end of The Orville season 3. While Seth MacFarlane has said that there...

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine showrunner Ira Steven Behr shared his perfect ending for the story of Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks). After 7 seasons of DS9, Sisko became one with the Prophets of Bajor and became a non-linear being. Ben left behind his son Jake (Cirroc Lofton), his wife Kasidy Yates (Penny Johnson Jerald), and their infant son. Captain Sisko promised he would return one day, but he has canonically not been part of the Star Trek franchise's current golden age on Paramount+

Ira Steven Behr joined a special panel in honor of The Sisko Day, a holiday Cirroc Lofton and his Star Trek podcast, The 7th Rule, established to recognize Captain Sisko. Behr spoke about crafting Sisko's story on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and shared personal anecdotes about working with Avery Brooks. Behr also described how he would end Sisko's story if the Captain returned from his celestial walk with the Prophets.

If Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) became Admiral Sisko after Star Trek: Deep Space Nine ended, he would have changed Star Trek for the better. Brooks made history by portraying Sisko, the first African-American lead of a Star Trek series, for all 7 seasons of DS9. Along with commanding Deep Space Nine, Sisko was the Emissary of the Prophets of Bajor. As Emissary, Sisko was a powerful religious figure who was destined to become a demigod rather than continue his successful Starfleet career.

Sisko began Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as the Commander of the space station. But Ben was also a widower mourning the loss of his wife, Jennifer (Felecia M. Bell), and raising their young son, Jake (Cirroc Lofton), as a single parent. Sisko was promoted to Captain in DS9 season 3, just as the Dominion from the Gamma Quadrant was beginning to threaten the United Federation of Planets. Along...

Adrianne Palicki's idea for Cmdr. Kelly Grayson's story in The Orville season 4 could solve a potentially huge problem introduced in the season 3 finale. There's no further word about the future of Seth MacFarlane's sci-fi comedy-drama, but Palicki has been discussing what she'd like to see should The Orville be renewed. Reflecting on her character Kelly Grayson, first officer and ex-wife to Captain Ed Mercer (Seth MacFarlane), Adrianne Palicki suggested a great story idea that would move Ed and Kelly's relationship into uncharted territory.

Speaking to Den of Geek, Adrianne Palicki said that she'd love to see Kelly become captain in The Orville season 4. Speaking about her desire for Kelly's promotion, Palicki revealed that she's discussed the idea with show creator Seth MacFarlane, who isn't "completely opposed" to the idea. The Orville season 3 ended by teasing a potential romantic reconciliation between Ed and Kelly, but the show already...

If there is one thing that Castle had going for it was the amazing Castle cast. What's a writer without his muse? That was the basic premise behind Castle, starring Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic. The 2009-2016 ABC crime-comedy-drama received praise and accolades during its time on the air. The show followed New York writer Rick Castle (Fillion) shadowing the exploits of NYPD Homicide Detective Kate Beckett (Katic).

With an ensemble cast of fellow detectives, police personnel, and civilians, the show had no shortage of fun and interesting characters. The series ended somewhat abruptly following Katic's departure from the show in 2016, so fans may be left wondering what happened to their favorite actors. Let's see what the cast of Castle has been up to since the series finale!

Arye Gross (Dr. Sidney Perlmutter)

The cantankerous and irritable Medical Examiner Ike Perlmutter may not have been on many episodes as part of the Castle cast,...

As cast, crew, and audiences alike wait for The Orville season 4 to be recommissioned, the wider budgetary concerns of Disney+ shouldn't hinder the recommissioning process. The Walt Disney Corporation is reportedly aiming to save $5.5 billion, which could put an effects-heavy and high-concept sci-fi show like The Orville at risk of cancelation. However, there's no reason for the budgetary concerns of Disney, who own The Orville's streaming home Hulu, to impact upon the future of Seth MacFarlane's sci-fi comedy-drama.

Seth MacFarlane addressed delays to The Orville's renewal in a tweet that stated he was "cautiously optimistic" about the show's future, while acknowledging the current upheaval within the streaming industry. As audiences continue to come to The Orville via Disney+ and Hulu, there's a strong business case to be made for building on this groundswell of support for MacFarlane's show. While The Orville season 4 could be a big-budget sci-fi action-adventure series,...

If commissioned, The Orville season 4 should avoid telling the story of the Planetary Union fighting yet another intergalactic war. The Orville season 3 had a happy ending of sorts, as the war between the Planetary Union and the Kaylon came to an end, sealed by the wedding of the Human Dr. Claire Finn (Penny Johnson Jerald) and the Kaylon, Isaac (Mark Jackson). However, Captain Ed Mercer (Seth MacFarlane) had other foes lying in wait, in the form of the newly established Krill/Moclan alliance.

Seth MacFarlane is cautiously optimistic about The Orville's season 4 renewal, but has previously stated he's unsure of exactly what the story will be. There are obvious loose ends to tie up regarding the alliance between the Krill and the Moclans, but there are more creative approaches that can be taken to this fractious political situation. Captain Mercer and his Moclan security officer Bortus (Peter Macon) have...

NASA have paid tribute to The Orville, which honors the show's cultural legacy and gives some much-needed hope for season 4. Sadly, there have been no further concrete updates about whether The Orville will return to either Hulu or Disney+ at some point in the future. However, the fact that Seth MacFarlane's sci-fi comedy-drama has made an impact on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is a good indicator of the show's popularity.

It's hoped, therefore, that the nod by NASA, and the performance of The Orville will be enough to convince executives to recommission the show. There are still plenty of stories to tell for The Orville's Captain Ed Mercer (Seth MacFarlane) and his crew, so many are currently crossing their fingers that season 4 will happen. In the meantime, the inclusion of characters from The Orville in a recent NASA report does give hope for the show's future.

The sons of Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) are the perfect protagonists for a potential Star Trek: Deep Space Nine sequel series. The relationship between Ben and his son Jake Sisko (Cirroc Lofton) stands out as one of the best-realized father-son relationship in Star Trek, and it was devastating to see Jake waiting for his father's return in the final shot of the DS9 finale. As Star Trek: Picard season 3 has become both a sequel to DS9 and a story about the next generation of the Star Trek: The Next Generation crew, it feels like the time is right to return to Jake Sisko and his younger brother.

When Sisko was recalled to the Celestial Temple by the Prophets in the DS9 finale, his wife Kassidy Yates-Sisko (Penny Johnson Jerald) was expecting their child. This led actor Avery Brooks to change Sisko's DS9 ending because of discomfort around the implications...

Warning: This article contains Spoilers for Star Trek: Picard season 3, episode 4, "No Win Scenario."Jack Crusher (Ed Speelers) experienced another vision in the closing moments of Star Trek: Picard season 3, episode 4, "No Win Scenario", raising serious questions about what's happening to him. Jack's visions first began when he almost died after being exposed to poisonous gas in Picard season 3, episode 3, "Seventeen Seconds". Among the images he saw were vein-like red branches, an opening door, and a desolate landscape. These images returned as Jack freshened up in his quarters at the end of "No Win Scenario", suggesting that the visions are something more than the result of his near-death experience.

It's possible that the answer to what's causing Jack's visions in Star Trek: Picard season 3 is also the answer to why Captain Vadic (Amanda Plummer) has been chasing him and his mother, Doctor Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) across the universe. Therefore,...

With its future still in doubt, The Orville needs a season 4 to resolve the plot threads left dangling by the season 3 finale. The Orville season 3 ended with a finale entitled "Future Unknown," which referred to the real-world status of Seth MacFarlane's sci-fi comedy-drama as much as it did the show's fictional universe. Since the finale aired in August 2022, there has been no confirmation of a new season entering production, but there's a glimmer of hope in the fact that The Orville's cancelation hasn't been officially confirmed either.

The ongoing uncertainty about future episodes makes the title of The Orville's season 3 finale more meaningful but it's also frustrating for fans who want answers to the show's many unanswered questions. For example, while Dr. Claire Finn (Penny Johnson Jerald) and Isaac (Mark Jackson) have tied the knot, there's still a lot of dramatic and comic potential in stories about...