Why Hulu Absolutely Needs to Renew The Orville Now That Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Has Landed

January 2026 has already earned its place in streaming history with the Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premiere and while Trek fans are reveling in cadet drama and futuristic moral quandaries, one question is burning bright across the sci‑fi fandom: why hasn’t Hulu renewed The Orville for another season yet? It’s time to revisit this beloved space comedy‑drama and argue, loud and clear, that now is the perfect moment for Hulu to bring it back.

From the moment Star Trek: Starfleet Academy hit screens, debuting its first episodes and promising a season filled with cadet antics and Federation rebuilding efforts, the sci‑fi landscape shook in delightful ways. For long‑time fans, the new Trek series scratches a certain nostalgia itch with fresh energy. But for many viewers craving heart, humor, and humanity among the stars, there’s no substitute for what The Orville has delivered since its first season: sharp satire wrapped in sincere emotional storytelling something today’s streaming ecosystem sorely needs.

The Orville Still Has More Stories to Tell

When The Orville debuted, creator and star Seth MacFarlane carved out a unique niche: Star Trek-like exploration and episodic adventure, but with a wink and a knowing smile. The show has balanced laugh‑out‑loud moments with deeply poignant themes tackling ethics, identity, relationships, and even grief, all while respecting the audience’s intelligence. Unlike many high‑concept sci‑fi shows, The Orville doesn’t demand you choose between laughs and heart; it delivers both in spades.

Hulu’s platform, home to critically acclaimed series that subvert genre expectations is a natural nest for The Orville. By keeping it alive for another season, Hulu would not only satisfy a dedicated fanbase but also solidify its brand as a destination for smart, emotionally rich science fiction with broad appeal.

What Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Doesn’t Replace

There’s no doubt Starfleet Academy brings something fresh to the table: youthful cadets, high‑stakes Federation politics, and legacy connections to beloved characters from across the Trek canon. Still, its core focus is very much on Starfleet’s future officers learning their place in the cosmos, which is a different flavor of sci‑fi than what The Orville has perfected.

Here’s where The Orville stands apart:

• Character‑Driven Storytelling: Episodes like “Lasting Impressions” and “Pria” showed the series isn’t afraid to dive deep into character psychology.

• Genre Blending: The Orville can go from slapstick space pirates to tear‑jerking emotional beats within a single episode.

• Standalone and Serialized Balance: It comfortably serves binge‑watchers and casual viewers alike, something Starfleet Academy builds toward more slowly.

While Starfleet Academy looks to expand Star Trek’s universe complete with its own lore, alien politics, and post‑Burn rebuilding narrative it doesn’t quite scratch every storytelling itch The Orville does. There’s room for both, and frankly, the galaxy is big enough. Plus, after Starfleet Academy finishes its weekly drops, fans will be looking for something equally engaging to fill that space.

The Fanbase is Still Here

The Orville’s fan community remains dedicated, vocal, and hungry for more. Online forums, social media buzz, and streaming discussions show a clear demand: viewers want to follow the U.S.S. Orville crew on more absurd, heartfelt, and occasionally tear‑jerking missions. Renewing the series now while Star Trek: Starfleet Academy brings sci‑fi into mainstream conversation would ride that wave of attention and help Hulu capture a broader, genre‑hungry audience.

It’s Time for Hulu to Step Up

Star Trek isn’t going anywhere; the franchise just added another chapter with Starfleet Academy. But Hulu can and should double down on its own sci‑fi hits too. Renewing The Orville now doesn’t just preserve a beloved show: it signals that Hulu values stories that blend comedy, heart, and space exploration in ways no one else quite does.

In an era where sci‑fi is both booming and fragmented across platforms, diversity of tone matters. Not every fan wants narrative solemnity or tightly serialized drama every week. Sometimes, they want genuine connection, a laugh after a tense Trek cliffhanger, and a crew that feels like family. The Orville delivers that, and frankly, it deserves another voyage.

Whether you’re a Trekker who just boarded Starfleet Academy or an Orville loyalist still wearing your favorite crew badge, one thing’s clear: there’s room in the final frontier for both shows and Hulu needs to make sure The Orville doesn’t get left behind.