May 31, 2025
That boy ain’t a boy anymore, I tell you hwhat. After a 15-year hiatus that felt longer than a Texas summer, Hank Hill and his family are finally returning to our screens—but they’re stepping into a world that’s changed almost as much as they have.
Hulu has officially announced that all 10 episodes of the “King of the Hill” revival will drop on August 4, marking the 14th season of Mike Judge and Greg Daniels’ beloved animated series. But don’t expect the same old Arlen you remember from 2009. This ain’t your daddy’s Texas, and these ain’t exactly the same Hills either.
The Hills Have Traveled
In perhaps the most unexpected twist this side of the Rio Grande, the revival reveals that Hank and Peggy haven’t even been in Texas for years. The couple has been living overseas in Saudi Arabia, where Hank took his propane expertise international, working at what Greg Daniels describes as “an Aramco base, which is like an idealized kind of white-picket-fence America.”
“We liked the idea that he had been gone for a while,” Daniels told Vulture in a recent interview. “They had gone to Saudi Arabia and they were just coming back and had missed out on a lot of recent, uh, cultural changes.”
Those cultural changes include everything from the proliferation of ride-sharing apps and electric scooters to deeper shifts in American society that have occurred since the show’s original run ended during the first year of the Obama presidency. We’ve since experienced:
- The rise of tech culture and social media dominance
- Two Trump presidencies
- A global pandemic
- Dramatic shifts in political polarization
- The explosion of food delivery apps and fusion cuisine
- The mainstreaming of previously fringe conspiracy theories
For a traditionalist like Hank Hill, who once struggled to accept a propane accessory he hadn’t personally vetted, this brave new world presents a Texas-sized adjustment.
The New Arlen Landscape
The official description for the new season reveals: “After years working a propane job in Saudi Arabia to earn their retirement nest egg, Hank and Peggy Hill return to a changed Arlen, Texas to reconnect with old friends Dale, Boomhauer and Bill. Meanwhile, Bobby is living his dream as a chef in Dallas and enjoying his 20s with his former classmates Connie, Joseph and Chane.”
That’s right—Bobby Hill is all grown up. Now 21 years old, the once-aspiring prop comic has matured into a culinary entrepreneur, running a Japanese-German Hill Country fusion BBQ joint in Dallas. While he’s close enough to visit his parents, Bobby has clearly carved out his own identity.
“When you think about a protagonist, you could say it’s who has the most stakes,” Daniels explained. “Hank’s life is pretty settled, but Bobby’s life is kind of up in the air, and young people are having more challenges today in trying to make the kind of life that their parents have.”
The Shifting Middle Ground
One of the most fascinating aspects of the revival is how it positions Hank’s moderate sensibilities in today’s more polarized landscape. The original series often portrayed Hank as the sensible center between extremes, but according to new showrunner Saladin Patterson, that center has shifted dramatically.
“Hank always represented the sensible middle, the old show did a great job handling the extremes and kind of pushing people towards what the common-sense middle was,” Patterson told Vulture. “Well, Hank’s been gone, and while he’s gone, the country’s changed so much that where Hank stood in the middle isn’t really the middle anymore.”
Perhaps most tellingly, conspiracy theorist Dale Gribble—once the show’s fringe extremist—now appears almost mainstream compared to real-world conspiracy movements. As Patterson puts it, “There’s more extreme in real life than Dale now.”
| Character | Then (2009) | Now (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Hank Hill | Assistant manager at Strickland Propane | Returning from international propane career in Saudi Arabia |
| Peggy Hill | Substitute teacher with inflated self-esteem | Returning homemaker, likely with culture shock |
| Bobby Hill | 13-year-old aspiring comedian | 21-year-old chef and restaurant co-owner |
| Dale Gribble | Neighborhood conspiracy theorist | Relatively moderate compared to today’s conspiracy landscape |
| Luanne & Lucky | Young married couple with baby | Written out (moved away) following the deaths of voice actors Brittany Murphy and Tom Petty |
Cast Changes and Tributes
The revival brings back most of the original voice cast, including Mike Judge as Hank, Kathy Najimy as Peggy, and Pamela Adlon as Bobby (with subtle adjustments to reflect his age). However, there have been some necessary changes.
Johnny Hardwick, who voiced Dale Gribble, tragically passed away during production after completing some recording. The production team promises they’ve found “a solution that we know fans of the show and the character and Johnny are gonna feel was a good choice.” Recent reports indicate that Toby Huss, who previously voiced Kahn, will take over as Dale.
Speaking of Kahn, the show has recast the character of Hank’s Laotian American neighbor in response to evolving standards around representation in animation. This follows similar recasting decisions in shows like “The Simpsons” and “Big Mouth.”
A Character Comedy, Not Political Commentary
Despite the potential for the revival to wade into today’s heated political waters, the creators emphasize that “King of the Hill” remains, at its core, a character-driven comedy.
“It always was a very specific show. It’s about these characters who live around this alley. It’s a character comedy,” Daniels explains. “I hope no one has an expectation that it’s a late-night show. Animation takes a long time. We’re not ripping headlines. It’s about character and culture.”
Mike Judge adds: “A lot has happened in the world since the original run of the show ended. There’s just a lot more for Hank to complain about.” But those complaints will likely focus on everyday frustrations rather than explicit political commentary.
The revival is executive produced by original co-creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, along with showrunner Saladin Patterson. 3 Arts’ Michael Rotenberg and Howard Klein, and Bandera Entertainment’s Dustin Davis also serve as executive producers.
For fans who’ve been waiting since 2009 to return to Arlen, the wait is almost over. The Hills are coming home—even if home isn’t quite what it used to be.
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About the King of the Hill Revival
When does the King of the Hill revival premiere?
All 10 episodes of the revival (Season 14) will be released on Hulu on August 4, 2025.
How many years has it been since the original show ended?
The original “King of the Hill” ended in 2009, making this revival come approximately 16 years after the series finale.
How old is Bobby Hill in the revival?
Bobby is now 21 years old and working as a chef and co-owner of a fusion BBQ restaurant in Dallas.
Why were Hank and Peggy away from Arlen?
They were living in Saudi Arabia, where Hank was working a propane job to build their retirement savings.
Will Luanne and Lucky appear in the revival?
No, these characters have been written out (described as having moved away) following the deaths of their voice actors Brittany Murphy and Tom Petty.
Who is voicing Dale Gribble since Johnny Hardwick passed away?
While the show hasn’t officially confirmed the new voice actor, recent reports indicate that Toby Huss (who previously voiced Kahn) will take over as Dale Gribble. The production team has promised a respectful solution that honors Hardwick’s legacy.
Is the show going to be political?
The creators emphasize that while the show will acknowledge cultural changes, it remains character-driven rather than politically focused. As Greg Daniels put it, “It’s about character and culture,” not ripping from headlines.
Will we see new characters?
While the focus remains on the original cast, the revival will likely introduce some new characters to reflect the changed landscape of Arlen.
How many episodes will the revival have?
The first season of the revival (Season 14 overall) will consist of 10 episodes.
Is this a limited revival or could there be more seasons?
Hulu hasn’t announced plans beyond this initial 10-episode order, but if successful, more seasons could follow.
