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After years of delays since its initial announcement in 2017, King of the Hill fans finally have some exciting news regarding the Hulu revival series.
The project has faced its share of challenges, often being described as “development hell,” as co-creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels navigated finding a suitable buyer. Ultimately, Hulu, bolstered by its acquisition of Disney (which also purchased Fox, the show’s former network), struck a deal to develop the series for the streaming platform.
The revival is set to take place several decades after the original series, which aired from 1997 to 2009, creating a time jump of about 20 years. However, the project encountered significant hurdles, particularly with the tragic passing of Johnny Hardwick, the voice actor for Dale Gribble and a producer on the show, in 2023. This necessitated several rewrites to accommodate his unexpected absence.
The revival also had to contend with the loss of other key voice actors from the original series, including Brittany Murphy and Tom Petty, whose characters—Luanne Platter and Lucky Kleinschmidt—were vital to the show’s core dynamics. These changes prompted a radical reshaping of character interactions and storylines.
Greg Daniels has hinted at an “early 2025” premiere, but fans were left in suspense until October 25, 2024, when voice actress Grey DeLisle shared a framed photo of an now-adult Bobby Hill, who was originally 12-13 years old in the series.
In the photo, Bobby, sporting some stubble and a taller, more grown-up appearance, is dressed in a chef’s outfit. The accompanying bio provides insights into his new life:
King of the Hill: Chef Bobby Hill has loved food his whole life.
From family dinners featuring his mom’s “Spa-Peggy and Meatballs” to overindulging in lutefisk at church potlucks, food and the people it’s shared with are central to his best memories. His career as a robata chef was inspired by weekends spent grilling with his dad.
As a self-taught chef and one of the youngest contestants on King of the Grill, Bobby believes “good food can solve any problem.” He plans to honor the art of Japanese robata while incorporating flavors from his Texas Hill Country heritage, aiming to push culinary boundaries with his innovative fusion dishes.
The bio also references classic jokes from the original series, including the memorable incident where Bobby inadvertently burns down the church while trying to mask the smell of lutefisk. Bobby’s new role as a chef aligns with the original series’ finale, “To Sirloin With Love,” where he and his father, Hank, bond over their shared passion for barbecuing.
With this detailed look at a beloved character, fans can anticipate more exciting developments as the release date approaches!
