If"Strange New Worlds" isn't enough "Star Trek" to satiate you for one season, look no further than "The Orville: New Horizons." This series created by "Family Guy" bigwig Seth MacFarlane originally began as a comedic twist on "Star Trek." While the program titled "The Orville: New Horizons" technically hit the airwaves for the first time in 2022, it's a direct continuation of a series that came out in 2017. Simply titled "The Orville," the narrative follows Captain Ed Mercer (MacFarlane) as he haplessly takes command of the Orville — an interstellar ship focused on exploration. He is forced to work with his ex-wife as his first officer, Commander Kelly Grayson (Adrianne Palicki). The pair divorced after Ed caught her copulating with an alien.
Just like the ships on "Star Trek," the Orville is outfitted with crew members who all have their own set of unique skills. There's medical bay specialist Doctor Claire Finn (Penny Johnson Jerald), pilot Lieutenant Gordon Malloy (Scott Grimes), as well as a second officer, the vaguely Klingon-like Lieutenant Commander Bortus (Peter Macon). The show still maintains a humorous atmosphere from time to time but has since evolved into a capable adventure series that often tackles serious issues.
"The Orville" lasted two seasons on Fox. It was originally renewed for a third season to air in 2020. However, due to both complications with COVID-19 as well as Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox, the show was left in limbo for a time. The series returned in 2022, renamed "The Orville: New Horizons" on Hulu. While viewers can technically think of this as a third season, the new name suggests a refresh that also welcomes newcomers to the series.
