“King of the Hill” Reunites at ATX TV Fest Ahead of Hulu Revival Premiere

Fans get first look at King of the Hill revival during emotional reunion panel.

The cast and creators of King of the Hill reunited at the ATX TV Festival to celebrate the beloved animated series and give fans an early look at its long-awaited return. The revival of the iconic adult animated show will debut with 10 new episodes on Monday, August 4, 2025, exclusively on Hulu.

The ATX panel brought together co-creators and executive producers Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, new showrunner Saladin K. Patterson, and voice cast members Pamela Adlon (Bobby Hill), Lauren Tom (Minh & Connie), and Toby Huss (Kahn, and now Dale Gribble).

A Reunion Years in the Making

The panel kicked off with heartfelt memories and behind-the-scenes reflections from the cast and creators. Lauren Tom captured the spirit of the moment:

“We all grew up together when we started and coming back has just felt like a giant reunion…every person that comes on the stage gives you a little lift.”

Pamela Adlon shared how deeply the series has impacted generations, including her own family:

“My youngest is 22 and she binged the entire series. She is a King of the Hill hardcore fan. Our fans are our bible. Y’all are so to the detail, like microscopic.”

Carrying On the Legacy of Dale Gribble

One of the emotional highlights of the panel was Toby Huss’s reflection on taking over the role of conspiracy-loving Dale Gribble from the late Johnny Hardwick:

“Johnny was one-of-a-kind…he had a lot of weird heart to him. So all I’m trying to do is hold on to his Dale-ness. We love our guy Johnny and it’s so sad that he’s not here.”

Mike Judge added that Hardwick will still appear in six episodes of the upcoming season.

Brittany Murphy, Tom Petty, and Honoring the Past

The team also discussed honoring former cast members Brittany Murphy (Luanne) and Tom Petty (Lucky). Showrunner Saladin K. Patterson said:

“We talked about the best way to honor them…in a very respectful way that people are going to appreciate.”

Greg Daniels added his admiration for Murphy’s unique performance:

“She never read it the way you thought it was going to be read. I couldn’t imagine anyone else playing Luanne.”

Aging the Characters and a Grounded New Chapter

The revival takes place several years after we last saw the Hills. Hank and Peggy return to Arlen after retiring from a propane gig in Saudi Arabia, while Bobby is now 21 and living in Dallas as a rising chef.

Mike Judge spoke about aging the characters and what made now the right time to return:

“When it clicked for me is when we talked about aging the characters…because it’s just such a grounded show.”

Pamela Adlon reflected on Bobby’s growth:

“He was born a fully formed person. He was the Dalai Lama…as an adult he’s become more centered and a little bit like his dad.”

A Writer’s Building Block and a Personal “Pinch Me” Moment

Adlon, who now writes and directs her own work, credited King of the Hill with shaping her voice:

“I learned how to let things breathe and it really formed me as a writer. Even though I never was a writer on King of the Hill, it really shaped me.”

Revival Details

After years working in Saudi Arabia, Hank and Peggy Hill return to Arlen, Texas to reconnect with their old friends Dale, Boomhauer, and Bill. Bobby, now 21, is living in Dallas and navigating adulthood alongside childhood friends Connie, Joseph, and Chane.

“King of the Hill” Returns August 4 on Hulu

As the panel wrapped up, Mike Judge brought the house down with one final in-character tease:

“On August 4th I will be back, and I’m pissed off.”

Whether you’re a longtime fan or a first-time viewer, King of the Hill’s return promises a fresh-yet-familiar look at the changing world of Arlen, Texas.

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