Overview
"The Orville season 1" is the inaugural season of the American science‑fiction comedy‑drama television series The Orville, created by Seth MacFarlane. The season originally aired on the Fox network in the United States from September 10, 2017, to March 5, 2018. Consisting of twelve episodes, it introduced the eponymous 25th‑century exploratory starship USS Orville (NCC‑126) and its crew, combining elements of classic science‑fiction storytelling with comedic undertones.
Premise
Set approximately 400 years in the future, the series follows the mixed‑gender crew of the USS Orville as they conduct missions for the Union of Planets. The narrative juxtaposes contemporary social issues with speculative technology and interstellar diplomacy, often employing a tone that alternates between earnest drama and humor.
Main Cast and Characters
- Seth MacFarlane as Captain Edgar "Ed" Mercer, the commanding officer of the Orville.
- Adrianne Palicki as Commander Kelly Grayson, the ship’s first officer.
- Scott Grimes as Lieutenant Commander Bortus, an alien from the planet Xelayan.
- Penny Johnson Jerald as Chief of Security (later Commander) T'Pol.
- Peter Macon as Lieutenant Cmdr. John LaMarr, chief of engineering.
- Halston Sage as Ensign Talla Keyali, a medical officer and science specialist.
- Mark Jackson as Isaac, a synthetic crew member created on the Orville.
- Jessica Szohr as Lieutenant Commander Alara Kitan (recurring).
Production
The series was produced by Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television. Filming primarily took place at Fox Studios in Los Angeles, California. The production employed a single‑camera setup and was shot in high‑definition 4K. Visual effects were provided by several VFX houses, with an emphasis on practical set design to emulate the aesthetic of classic space‑opera series such as Star Trek.
Episodes
Season 1 comprises twelve episodes, each with a runtime of approximately 45 minutes. Episode titles and original air dates are as follows:
- “‘Twas the Fight Before Christmas” – September 10, 2017
- “Gently Falling Rain” – September 17, 2017
- “If the Stars Should Align” – September 24, 2017
- “Old Dogs, New Tricks” – October 1, 2017
- “A Night to Remember” – October 8, 2017
- “New Dimensions” – October 15, 2017
- “Disvured” – November 5, 2017
- “If We Were a Team” – November 12, 2017
- “Pria” – February 15, 2018
- “The Road Not Taken” – February 22, 2018
- “For the Greater Good” – February 28, 2018
- “Primal Urges” – March 5, 2018
Reception
Critical response to the first season was mixed to positive. Review aggregators recorded an average score in the low‑to‑mid 60s (percent) on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating generally favorable reviews. Critics highlighted the series’ homage to classic science‑fiction and its ensemble performance, while noting occasional tonal inconsistency between comedic and dramatic elements. Audience viewership numbers averaged approximately 5 million live viewers per episode in the United States during its original broadcast.
Home Media and Streaming
The full season was released on DVD and Blu‑ray in Region 1 on September 21, 2018, featuring deleted scenes and commentary tracks. As of 2026, the season is available for streaming on the Hulu platform in the United States and on Disney+ internationally, reflecting the acquisition of Fox assets by The Walt Disney Company.
Legacy
"The Orville season 1" established the series’ narrative framework and audience base, leading to subsequent seasons (season 2 in 2018, season 3 in 2022, and season 4 in 2025). It contributed to renewed interest in space‑focused television programming that blends humor with speculative storytelling.