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King of the Hill is back on screens after 15 years, but there is something bittersweet and nostalgic about this revival. As fans await the return of Arlen, Texas, and its memorable cast of characters, the upcoming Hulu season will feature a sepia-toned tribute to a number of late cast members who played an instrumental role in the series for its original run.
As the series gears up for Season 14, Hulu and its creative team are setting aside an emotional on-screen memoriam for voice actors Johnny Hardwick and Jonathan Joss. Both artists recorded for the revival before they died; the last renditions of their songs are somehow more haunting. Those who have died will be honored with memorial cards that will appear in episodes, a tribute that not just acknowledges their voices but also their enduring legacy.
King of the Hill creators open up about honouring Hardwick and Joss
During the show’s San Diego Comic-Con 2025 panel, executive producers Saladin K. Patterson, Greg Daniels, and Mike Judge revealed plans to pay tribute to Hardwick and Joss. Toby Huss, who has stepped in to voice Dale Gribble following Hardwick’s passing, said:
“He was a super sweet fellow, we miss him. His Dale is one of a kind. I'm not taking over anything, I'm just trying to do some justice to his voice.”
Hardwick recorded six episodes of the upcoming 10-episode season before he died in 2023 at 64. The creators confirmed that his original performance as Dale will be heard in the first half of the new season, ensuring that fans hear one final run of his unmistakable delivery.
Jonathan Joss, who voiced John Redcorn for much of the show’s original run, also returned to record new material. Patterson confirmed this, adding:
“Thankfully [he was] able to join us because he's part of the family as well and do episodes for the season.”
Joss’s unexpected death in June 2025 came just weeks after he attended the ATX Television Festival in Austin, where he had spoken passionately about the show and his late co-star Hardwick.
King of the Hill revival remembers Brittany Murphy, Tom Petty, and Chuck Mangione
While Brittany Murphy (Luanne) and Tom Petty (Lucky) died long before the revival went into production, the producers have not forgotten them. Although there are no voice excerpts from the late actors themselves, their characters will be remembered respectfully in the story. The writers and producers have opened up narrative space for Luanne and Lucky not being there, and while they still might not be heard, they are felt.
Musician Chuck Mangione, who played an exaggerated version of himself in several series of the program between 1997 and 2003, also recently died. King of the Hill fans will be able to assume that buzz around Hardwick and Joss.
The King of the Hill revival will age characters and bring new voices
Beyond its tributes, the King of the Hill revival will introduce aged-up versions of familiar characters. Bobby Hill is now a twenty-something chef living in Dallas, while Hank and Peggy return to a changed Arlen after years working abroad. This shift in time gives the series a fresh lens while staying grounded in its roots.
Original cast members such as Mike Judge (Hank and Boomhauer), Pamela Adlon (Bobby), Kathy Najimy (Peggy), and Lauren Tom (Minh and Connie) are all back. New additions include Keith David as Brian Robertson and Anthony “Citric” Campos as Emilio. Comedian Ronny Chieng joins the cast as the new voice of Kahn, a role previously held by both Toby Huss and the late Johnny Hardwick.
King of the Hill revival premieres on Hulu on August 4
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The King of the Hill reboot debuts on Hulu on August 4, and the return will feature 10 new episodes for the 14th season. The comedy’s tone, humor, and love for small-town life are all there, but this time, they come to us layered with a patina of reflection.
It’s not just a revival; it’s a tribute to the people who made King of the Hill what it was over the decades. It helps pay tribute to those who’ve passed on while it welcomes the new names that we now hear in these hallowed halls, and the return to Arlen feels a bit more weighty, a bit sweeter, and a great deal more poignant than it has in the past.
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