Hulu To Revive Animated ‘Futurama’

Streamer Hulu and 20th Television Animation have announced the return of animated sci-fi comedy Futurama from Matt Groening and David X. Cohen, with an order for 2o new half-hour episodes to launch in 2023.

“I’m thrilled to have another chance to think about the future… or really anything other than the present,” said David X. Cohen in s statement.

“It’s a true honor to announce the triumphant return of Futurama one more time before we get canceled abruptly again,” joked Matt Groening.  

Debuting on March 28, 1999, Futurama was axed by Fox after four seasons, but found revived interest in reruns on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim programming block. Following an order for four direct-to-video films in 2007, the last of which was released in early 2009, Comedy Central stepped in with an order for a 16-episode fifth season, followed by an additional four seasons (through 2013). In total, 140 episodes of Futurama were produced.

An audio-only episode featuring the original cast members was released in 2017 as an episode of The Nerdist Podcast.

Futurama follows the life of Philip Fry (voice of Billy West), a 25-year-old pizza delivery boy who accidentally freezes himself on December 31, 1999 and wakes up 1,000 years later with a fresh start at life and a “diverse” new group of friends including Leela (Katey Sagal), a tough but lovely one-eyed alien and Bender, a robot who possesses human characteristics and flaws.  

“When presented with the opportunity to bring fans and viewers new episodes of Futurama, we couldn’t wait to dive in. This iconic series helped blaze the trail for the success of adult animation since its initial launch and we look forward to Matt & David continuing to pave the way and further establishing Hulu as the premiere destination for fans of the genre,” said Craig Erwich, President, Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment in a statement.

“What I love about animation is that it’s possible for a successful show to take a pause and then resume years later, even on a different platform, and pick up right where it left off. Futurama is one of those shows. The excitement from Hulu about returning Matt and David’s genius creation for all-new episodes has been off the charts. I’m thrilled that this incredible team will get to tell more stories, and that our Planet Express crew will have more adventures together. It’s a win for the fans who have loved the show since the beginning, and for the ones who will now discover it for the very first time,” commented Marci Proietto, Head of 20^th Television Animation.

The series, created by Matt Groening and developed by Groening and David X. Cohen, is produced 20^thTelevision Animation a part of Disney Television Studios, with Rough Draft Studios, Inc. contributing the animation.