Fans of King of the Hill are excited about the show’s return to Hulu this summer! The revival series, which premiered after a 15-year hiatus, has already shown us what Hank Hill and his friends in Arlen have been up to, but one big question remains: what happened to Luanne? The new season promises to finally reveal her story.
Fans noticed that Luanne, Lucky, and their child weren’t in the first season of the King of the Hill revival on Hulu. Now that Season 15 is coming to the streaming service on July 20th, early previews suggest the show will honor Luanne with a nod to one of her memorable original episodes. We can also expect to see Big Tex return in the new season.
King of the Hill Season 15 Teases Luanne Tribute
The first poster for King of the Hill Season 15 subtly features Big Tex, who first appeared in Season 8’s “Girl, You’ll Be a Giant Soon.” This episode is memorable not only because Brittany Murphy won an Annie Award for her voice work as Luanne, but also because it shows a heartwarming connection between Hank and Luanne. While Hank and Luanne have bonded in other episodes, revisiting this moment could be a touching way to honor Luanne’s character.
Big Tex’s appearance is meaningful because it references a memorable scene where Luanne climbed inside the giant cowboy’s mouth. Showrunner Saladin K. Patterson had hinted at honoring the late Brittany Murphy (who voiced Luanne) and Tom Petty before the King of the Hill revival began, saying they wanted to find respectful ways to include references that fans would appreciate. However, despite the anticipation, a tribute didn’t materialize in the first season of the revival.
What Will Happen to Luanne in King of the Hill Revival?
A major question surrounding Luanne’s absence in the new King of the Hill revival is how the show will address her character. While other shows have recast actors after their passing, the creator, Brent Patterson, previously suggested Luanne and Lucky might be retired instead. He compared it to a sports team honoring a great player by retiring their jersey – a way to show respect for their contribution to the show.
The showrunner explained they chose not to re-cast certain characters, and instead found creative ways within the story to pay tribute to them without doing so. The return to the State Fair setting is particularly meaningful because it’s deeply connected to Luanne’s story, notably the Season 5 episode where she explores communism. Given Luanne’s history with the fair, it would feel odd if Hank or Peggy—perhaps with Luanne’s daughter—visited without at least mentioning her.
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2026-05-06 01:11