‘The Orville’ Renewed For Season 2 By Fox; Seth MacFarlane Thanks Fans

Captain Ed Mercer and his crew are returning for another season of “The Orville.”

Fox has renewed the Seth MacFarlane-created series for Season 2 on Thursday, seven episodes into its 13-episode first season. An episode count for its sophomore run has yet to be determined.

“Once again Seth has struck a powerful chord with viewers,” Fox entertainment president Michael Thorn said in a statement announcing the renewal. “He has delivered a series full of optimism, drama and his trademark humor. We want to thank him and the rest of the talented cast, as well as the producers and crew, for an incredible first season. We can’t wait to see where The Orville travels in the second.”

Shortly after the renewal was announced, MacFarlane, who also plays Ed on the show, took to Twitter to thank the fans for making Season 2 possible.

The renewal comes after the show’s September debut has become the network’s most watched and highest-rated launch since “Empire” when factoring in delayed viewing across multiple platforms. “The Orville” also ranks among the top three new dramas of the fall. It is averaging a 2.5 rating in the coveted adults 18-49 demographic when factoring in seven days of DVR. The space dramedy also has more than 10 million multiplatform viewers.

Entertainment Weekly reported that the timing of “The Orville’s” Season 2 renewal was surprising, as picking up a broadcast show for another season in November is a highly unusual move. Normally freshman shows with a 13-episode order seek a “back 9” order of additional episodes in the fall and then hope for a renewal in the spring. Apparently, that’s not the case for “The Orville,” which isn’t receiving any additional episodes this season. The show’s Season 1 finale is already set to air in December.

“The Orville” is the first of the freshman class of 2017-18 to score a renewal. It joins “The Simpsons” on Fox’s schedule for next season.

Aside from MacFarlane, “The Orville” also stars Adrianne Palicki as Commander Kelly Grayson; Penny Johnson Jerald as Dr. Claire Finn; Scott Grimes as Lt. Gordon Malloy; Peter Macon as Lt. Commander Bortus; Halston Sage as Lt. Alara Kitan; J. Lee as Lt. John LaMarr; and Mark Jackson as Isaac.

What do you think of “The Orville’s” early Season 2 renewal? Share your thoughts in the comments below!