Hulu Revives King of the Hill to Correct Its Biggest Flaw

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King of the Hill enjoyed a long and celebrated run on television, spanning over a decade and 13 seasons. Despite its conclusion, fans still crave more propane and propane accessories, and creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels are ready to deliver. We’ve just received our first look at King of the Hill Season 14, a streaming revival set to debut on Hulu on August 4.

While King of the Hill is not the first animated sitcom to make a comeback in the streaming era, it may be one of the most promising. Season 14 has a unique opportunity to address what was arguably the original series’ biggest limitation—its static storytelling. Let’s take a closer look at that issue and explore why this revival could finally break the mold.

Like many classic animated sitcoms such as The Simpsons and Family Guy, King of the Hill maintained a largely unchanging continuity throughout its run. The sleepy town of Arlen, Texas remained frozen in time from the show’s premiere to its finale. Hank Hill (voiced by Mike Judge) continued to embody the stoic, traditional father figure who struggled to express emotion. His wife Peggy (Kathy Najimy) remained the overly confident, albeit misguided, intellectual force she always was. Their son Bobby (Pamela Adlon) never aged past his early teens, stuck in a loop of awkward growth and parental tension.

This formula worked well for much of the series' run, offering viewers an accessible, easy-to-follow format. Each episode stood alone, making it simple for new or returning audiences to jump in without needing context from previous episodes.

However, after more than a decade on air, the lack of character development became increasingly noticeable. The same storylines were reused—Bobby discovering a quirky talent, Hank reluctantly accepting it—until repetition dulled the humor. Over time, the absence of change shifted from comforting to frustrating.

Would Hank ever learn to open up emotionally? Would Dale (the late Johnny Hardwick) ever discover the truth about Nancy (Ashley Gardner) and John Redcorn (Jonathan Joss)? Would Bill (Stephen Root) ever find happiness beyond the group's weekly gatherings? Because each episode reset the narrative clock, the answer to all those questions was always “No.”

Unlike The Simpsons or Family Guy, where absurdity and hyper-stylized characters justify the lack of progression, King of the Hill had the potential to evolve. Its grounded, character-driven approach lent itself naturally to deeper arcs and emotional growth. Yet, the show rarely embraced that possibility.

There were rare exceptions—such as Bobby aging up during puberty, Cotton’s death, and Luanne’s marriage and motherhood—but these moments were outliers rather than indicators of a broader shift. For the most part, Arlen remained untouched by time.

What’s Different in Season 14

Now, nearly 15 years after the series finale, King of the Hill returns with a fresh perspective—and a time jump. According to Hulu’s official synopsis:

“The season 14 revival picks up several years after we last saw the Hill family — Hank and Peggy Hill are now retired and return to a changed Arlen after years of working in Saudi Arabia; and Bobby is 21 and living his best life while navigating adulthood as a chef in Dallas.”

The newly released intro sequence offers hints of how Arlen has evolved. Hank and Peggy have lived abroad, Arlen experiences the impact of the pandemic, and a new neighbor moves into their old home. Dale appears to be running for mayor, signaling a dramatic shift in his character arc.

With these developments, the writers now have fertile ground to explore. How has Hank changed after living in Saudi Arabia? Was he able to adapt to a different culture, or did he double down on his traditional values? What kind of man has Bobby become after leaving home and pursuing his dreams in Dallas?

Dale remains a particularly intriguing figure—not only because Toby Huss is stepping into the role originally voiced by Johnny Hardwick, but also due to the unresolved tension surrounding his relationship with Nancy and John Redcorn. Can the series finally provide closure on that long-standing storyline? And how does Dale navigate today’s world, where conspiracy theories are more mainstream than ever?

Additionally, questions linger about other characters: Did Joseph (Breckin Meyer) and John Redcorn reconcile? What happened to Strickland Propane without Hank to manage Buck’s (Stephen Root) antics? And how will the show handle the legacy of Luanne and Lucky (the late Tom Petty), and their daughter Gracie?

Clearly, Season 14 has no shortage of material to explore. After so many years of stagnation, the chance for meaningful character growth is both exciting and long overdue.

Of course, there’s always the risk that King of the Hill reverts to its old habits once this initial wave of change settles. If the show slips back into episodic, reset-every-week storytelling, some of this momentum could be lost.

Ideally, the revival should aim for a balance—maintaining its signature humor while embracing a more serialized structure. It doesn’t need to become a plot-heavy drama, but developing ongoing arcs would add depth and keep the storytelling fresh.

After all, imagine watching Hank struggle to adjust to a modern Arlen, where everything he once knew has shifted. Picture Bobby trying to live up to his own expectations, free from his father’s shadow. Envision Dale confronting a world that’s somehow even stranger than he imagined.

Let’s hope the creators continue to push boundaries and let Arlen grow alongside its characters. This revival is a second chance—one that King of the Hill deserves and must not waste.