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Shocking Ax: Fox Pulls the Plug on Beloved Animated Series 'Great North'

Published 2 hours ago3 minute read
Precious Eseaye
Precious Eseaye
Shocking Ax: Fox Pulls the Plug on Beloved Animated Series 'Great North'

Fox has officially announced the cancellation of the animated comedy The Great North after five seasons, with its final run concluding in September 2025. The news, which surfaced less than one month after its fifth season wrapped, was not entirely unexpected, given the increasing competition within the network’s Animation Domination lineup and its revealed fall schedule lacking the series.

The decision to end the beloved series starring Nick Offerman stemmed from a significant schedule crunch at Fox. The network had previously committed to extensive renewals for its long-standing animated hits, including The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Bob's Burgers, each securing an additional four seasons. Furthermore, American Dad! is slated to return to Fox for the 2025-2026 season with a similar four-season pickup. Alongside these, other animated shows like the Jon Hamm-led Grimsberg and the Dan Harmon-created Krapopolis were also renewed for additional runs, leaving limited space on the broadcast schedule.

The Great North premiered in January 2021, bringing a unique, wholesome charm to Fox’s animated offerings. It centered on the Tobin family, residing in the fictional Alaskan town of Lone Moose. Beef Tobin, voiced by Nick Offerman, is a single father and fisherman striving to raise his four children and keep their quirky unit together amidst the icy Alaskan environment. The series consistently depicted the family navigating everyday hijinks, dysfunctions, and providing unwavering support for one another. At its core, the show celebrated the deep, sometimes overbearing, familial love among the Tobins.

The family comprises Judy (Jenny Slate), Beef’s only daughter whose artistic ambitions often pull her away from the family fishing boat towards the local mall; her older brother Wolf (Will Forte) and his wife Honeybee (Dulcé Sloan); middle brother Ham (Paul Rust); and the precocious 10-year-old Moon (Aparna Nancherla). While their mother is absent, Judy often seeks guidance from her boss, Alyson (Megan Mullally), and her imaginary friend, Alanis Morissette, who appears to her in the Northern Lights, with the singer herself lending her voice to the character.

The series shared significant creative DNA with Bob’s Burgers. It was co-created by sisters Wendy Molyneux and Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin, who also served as executive producers and showrunners, alongside writer Minty Lewis. All three had previously penned episodes of Bob's Burgers. Loren Bouchard, the creator of Bob’s Burgers, also served as an executive producer for The Great North. The show was a 20th Television Animation production, with animation produced through Bento Box Entertainment and Milo Productions.

Throughout its run, The Great North garnered a strong following, becoming a consistent fan favorite. It boasts an impressive overall audience score of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, with its inaugural season receiving critical praise for being "comfort viewing of the highest caliber." Its popularity also led to its prominent featuring at events like Hulu's San Diego Comic-Con setups and its Animayhem section.

Michael Thorn, President of Fox Television Network, expressed gratitude in a statement regarding the show's conclusion: “We’re so grateful for everything Wendy, Lizzie, Loren, and the amazing cast and crew put into The Great North. It’s difficult to say goodbye, but we’re thankful for the five hilarious seasons The Great North brought to the iconic Animation Domination lineup.” For those wishing to revisit the Alaskan adventures of the Tobin family, The Great North is available to stream on Hulu.

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