The long wait for season 3 of sometimes-satire-sometimes-tearjerker-space-drama The Orville is nearly over, and a new shot from the upcoming batch of episodes is probably enough to reignite any anticipation fans may have lost over the past couple years. A lot has happened both in the story and in real life that will undoubtedly affect the show going forward, so viewers can look forward to lots of surprises when the series finally returns.
A new teaser image for the Hulu series has been making the rounds, offering a glimpse at what’s to come when The Orville season 3 (now sporting the adjusted title The Orville: New Horizons) makes its long-awaited premiere. Fans of the previous 2 seasons will likely recognize most of the faces seen on the rather crowded bridge photo, including series creator Seth MacFarlane as Captain Ed Mercer and Adrianne Palicki as Commander Kelly Grayson. But there are a few unfamiliar figures hanging around this time, and that could mean any number of things for the series’ future.
One recognizable but unexpected character is Victor Garber’s Admiral Halsey, who has made several appearances on the show so far, albeit usually confined to a video call screen. But next to him is a pair of newcomers. One is the late Lisa Banes of Gone Girl fame as Senator Balask. The other, who admittedly draws the eye, is President Alcuzan, played by Tron and Babylon 5 star Bruce Boxleitner. But they aren’t the only 2 unfamiliar figures.
Fans will also notice a new pilot taking her spot alongside Scott Grimes as Lieutenant Gordon Malloy. That would be Ensign Charly Burke, played by 13 Reasons Why actress Anne Winters. According to TVLine, she will be a new series regular. Series producer Jon Cassar also pointed out how the image “reveals the new bridge tech upgrade.” At first glance, the bridge may not look all that different, but there are definitely some shiny new bits around there.
The Orville: New Horizons will come back to a much different world than the one it previously ended on. After its extended hiatus, a lot has changed, and some of it in an unfortunate sense. Fans will remember the funny yet helpful slime alien known as Yaphit, played by Norm Macdonald. Macdonald’s tragic and untimely passing earlier this year came as a surprise to pretty much everyone, but according to Deadline, he had already completed the recording of his audio for the upcoming season. It’s unknown how his character will be handled if the show continues.
The Orville: New Horizons marks the return of a surprisingly poignant series, featuring stories that often tread into the absurd and hilarious but aren’t afraid to tackle some genuinely thought-provoking subjects. Hopefully, this trend continues as the show continues, and here’s hoping it sticks around for some time to come.
The Orville: New Horizons will begin airing new weekly episodes on Hulu starting March 10th, 2022.
Source: TVLine, Deadline
