Futurama New Season: Which Original Cast Members Are Returning?
With the highly anticipated return of Futurama now just around the corner, everyone is wondering which beloved original cast members will be reprising their roles.
Who will be returning for season 11
Futurama fans will be pleased to learn that the entire original main cast is set to return once again to voice their iconic characters. The ensemble voice cast will feature Billy West as Philip J. Fry, Professor Farnsworth, Zap Brannigan, and Zoidberg, Katey Sagal as Leela, Tress MacNeille as Mom, Lauren Tom as Amy Wong, Phil LaMarr as Hermes Conrad, Maurice LaMarche as Kif, and David Herman as Scruffy. This news suggests a bright outlook for this new season, as the series' success has always depended on its characters and the talented voice actors who bring them to life.
One vital cast member almost didn't return
Fans were at first disappointed when they learned John DiMaggio initially wasn't going to return to voice the fan-favorite character of Bender, citing pay disputes for himself and the entire cast as the reason.
Thankfully, after some supposedly extensive negotiations, a deal was finally reached. DiMaggio reprising his role as the lovable beer-swilling robot is a huge relief for fans who can't imagine the show without Bender's distinct voice and hilarious antics.
KwanzaaBot's final appearance
It was revealed in a surprising announcement that the late rapper Coolio, who passed away last September, has also reprised his role as KwanzaaBot for the new season. Coolio is said to have recorded new dialogue and music weeks before his passing, leaving a lasting contribution to the show's legacy. Although his character previously had only a limited number of guest appearances on the show, it is good to know that we will get to hear him one last time.
When the new season will be available
Considering it has been ten years since the last season, fans are fortunate they won't have to wait much longer. The new season is due to air on July 24 on Hulu, with 10 exciting episodes lined up to entertain viewers. The season's synopsis provides a glimpse into what fans can expect from the season, teasing payoffs to lingering mysteries, such as the epic love story of Fry and Leela, the secrets hidden within Nibbler's litter box, the untold history of evil Robot Santa, and the fate of Kif and Amy's tadpoles.
Additionally, this season will tackle new topics relevant to recent events, including the future of vaccines, bitcoin, cancel culture, and streaming TV. It's clear that Futurama's signature blend of wacky humor and social commentary is set to make a triumphant return. You can check out the season's trailer yourself here.
As the days count down until the new season's release, anticipation builds for fans looking forward to reuniting with Futurama and its original cast once again. July 24 can't come soon enough!
Sources: EW.