King of the Hill Star Reveals How Much Johnny Hardwick Fans Will Hear in Upcoming Revival!

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At last, the long-awaited revival of “King of the Hill” finally showed its first official sneak peek – the refreshed opening credits – just in time for announcing its early August debut! To make it an even more thrilling weekend for the Hill family’s devoted followers, co-creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels joined forces with the returning voice cast at ATX Fest, engaging in a fascinating Q&A session. The excitement didn’t stop there; they also shared that longtime cast member Toby Huss will be stepping into the shoes of Dale Gribble, following the unfortunate demise of Johnny Hardwick.

In August 2023, Hardwick sadly passed away at the age of 64. His fans and fellow actors paid tribute swiftly after. At that time, it was disclosed that he had recorded some audio for the upcoming season; however, it became apparent that another actor would be required to step into his imposing and conspiracy-centric role. Among various characters, Huss was a perfect choice to succeed as Dale, given his previous roles as Cotton Hill and Kahn Sr. in the original run. He seemed grateful for the opportunity, expressing humility during the ATX Fest, stating:

Johnny was unique and an exceptional individual, and I’m not attempting to imitate him… I suppose I’m striving to be like Johnny instead. He created a truly wonderful, goofy character…he had a lot of quirky charm, which speaks volumes about his personality. So, all I’m trying to do is preserve his essence. We adore our dear Johnny, and it’s so unfortunate that he’s no longer with us.

It’s fantastic when they take the approach of not just mimicking a cherished actor but rather striving to become one. Instead of focusing on delivering the best imitation, aim for a complete embodiment. As a result, I can imagine Dale himself asking why he doesn’t sound the same and wondering if perhaps the government has swapped him with a reptile or some other intelligent life form.

It’s believed that Huss won’t take up the role of Kahn Sr. again, due to considerations related to cultural appropriateness. However, we can only wish for him to appear in other single-appearance characters and reprise some of his recurring roles such as M.F. Thatherton or Coach Kleehammer. For now, fans will get a chance to watch Huss on television in 2025, acting alongside Glen Powell in the Hulu series titled Chad Powers, and in Zach Creggers’ new horror movie called Weapons.

Mike Judge Shares Update About How Much Johnny Hardwick We’ll Be Hearing

Following the unfortunate demise of Johnny Hardwick, it was initially reported that he had filmed enough scenes for several episodes in the Hulu revival. However, during a panel at ATX Fest, Mike Judge clarified that this initial assumption significantly underestimated the actual footage. To quote the voice behind Hank Hill himself:

Johnny Hardwick is in six episodes. He’s still going to be in the show.

Hooray! Instead of making brief appearances, Johnny Hardwick’s character Dale will have a significant role in six episodes of the revival. Toby Huss’ voice will join us in the seventh episode. This represents more than half of the show’s first season back, making it seem much more substantial than initially thought.

Experience the return of “King of the Hill” in its revival season by subscribing to Hulu, regardless of your location in Arlen, TX. Subscriptions offer access to all Hulu has to offer, including original series and films such as “What We Do in the Shadows,” “Tell Me Lies,” “The Bear,” and “Only Murders In The Building.” New and eligible returning customers can take advantage of a 30-day free trial before making any payments. Plans start from $9.99 per month thereafter. Check out this deal!

In the upcoming revival season of “King of the Hill,” viewers can expect numerous transformations as Bobby has grown into a 21-year-old chef, and characters Hank and Peggy return to Arlen following their years spent in Saudi Arabia. Tune in to Hulu on Monday, August 4, to witness these changes unfold.

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2025-06-02 03:08