After 15 years away from TV screens, King of the Hill is finally back. Hulu has officially set August 4 as the premiere date for the long-anticipated 14th season revival of the beloved animated series, bringing the quirky yet relatable residents of Arlen, Texas, back into our lives. But this time, things won’t be quite the same.
For fans who grew up watching Hank Hill, his propane-fueled adventures, and the simple suburban charm of Arlen, this revival is more than just nostalgia. It’s a rare continuation that acknowledges the passage of time — a bold step away from the static continuity that defined the original 13 seasons, which aired on Fox from 1997 to 2010.
The Hill Family Has Grown Up — Literally
One of the most striking changes is that Bobby Hill, Hank’s often mischievous son who never seemed to age during the original run, is now a 21-year-old chef living in Dallas. Gone are the middle school shenanigans, replaced by young adulthood and the challenges that come with it. Bobby’s pursuit of culinary dreams and his life as a co-owner of a Japanese-German fusion BBQ joint hint at a new, deeper layer for a character who once seemed destined to remain a precocious kid.
Meanwhile, Hank and Peggy Hill are back from a surprising detour — a stint working in Saudi Arabia, where Hank kept busy in propane sales. This plot choice, as co-creator Greg Daniels explains, puts the Hills in a fascinating position: returning to a very different Arlen and America than the one they left behind over a decade ago.
A Changed Arlen Reflecting a Changed America
The new season picks up with Hank and Peggy trying to reconnect with old friends like Dale Gribble, Boomhauer, and Bill — but the neighborhood and culture they left behind have moved on. From electric scooters to drones, from the rise of ride-share etiquette to a pandemic, the world Hank complains about has shifted dramatically.
As Mike Judge puts it, “There’s just a lot more for Hank to complain about.” Yet Hank remains the sensible, middle-ground voice in a world that’s grown more polarized. Interestingly, the show’s creators note that where Dale — the conspiracy-loving neighbor — once represented an extreme fringe, he now seems closer to the median of society’s views, underscoring just how much cultural dynamics have evolved.
Tackling Change While Staying True to Its Roots
King of the Hill has always been praised for its grounded, respectful humor, portraying working-class America with nuance rather than caricature. The revival’s showrunner, Saladin Patterson, emphasizes that the show isn’t trying to be a political talk show or a sharp satire but a character-driven comedy about culture and community.
“The show is about these characters who live around this alley,” says Greg Daniels. “It’s a character comedy. We’re not ripping headlines. It’s about character and culture.”
This time, the change in time is reflected in the storytelling itself. Unlike earlier seasons, where time seemed frozen and characters rarely evolved, the revival embraces growth. Characters have moved on, and the world has moved on around them. The introduction sequence alone highlights this with a time-lapse showing the Hill family moving out and then back into their home, and the neighborhood evolving in subtle but meaningful ways.
Behind the Scenes: Loss and Transition
The revival also pays tribute to the late Johnny Hardwick, who voiced Dale Gribble for the original series. Hardwick completed some voice work before his passing in 2023, and Toby Huss now steps in to carry the torch for Dale — a change handled with great care to honor both the character and the actor’s legacy.
Other longtime characters have been written out or moved on, such as Luanne and Lucky, allowing the show to reflect real-life transitions while keeping its focus tightly on the Hill family and their closest friends.
Why the Revival Matters
For many, King of the Hill’s biggest strength was its comfort food quality — familiar characters, steady humor, and an unchanging world that felt like home. But that comforting stasis also meant the show grew stale by its later seasons. The revival’s creators see this new season as an opportunity to address that by allowing the characters and their world to genuinely evolve.
Hank’s cantankerous but heartfelt parenting will remain central, but now he has to navigate a son who’s no longer a kid — a son whose life is full of uncertainty and opportunity in a modern world. As Daniels notes, Bobby’s story is now arguably the emotional core of the series, representing the real challenges young people face today.
The Countdown to August 4
With a stellar returning voice cast, including Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, Pamela Adlon, Stephen Root, Lauren Tom, and new cast member Toby Huss, King of the Hill is poised to offer longtime fans and new viewers alike a fresh yet familiar slice of American life.
Whether you’ve watched every episode since the ’90s or are just curious to see how Arlen looks in 2025, the upcoming season promises thoughtful humor, cultural reflection, and heartfelt character moments — all wrapped in that uniquely Texan charm.
Hulu’s King of the Hill revival isn’t just a return to Arlen. It’s a welcome reminder that sometimes, growing up means embracing change while still holding on to what makes home feel like home.
