The King of the Hill revival is officially barreling down the highway, and it's bringing back almost the entire original cast. Almost. John Redcorn, the smooth-talking, spiritually-inclined Native American character who spent a good chunk of the original series sleeping with Dale Gribble's wife, won't be voiced by Jonathan Joss. The show's creator finally dropped the real reason why, and it's not what anyone expected.
If you were hoping for a seamless return to Arlen, this news stings. John Redcorn is a fan-favorite foil to Dale, and his deadpan voice is a huge part of why the character works. When the revival was first announced, rumors swirled that Joss was being recast due to his passing. That rumor is false. Joss is alive. The real reason is much more grounded, and frankly, a little wild.
The Real Reason Wasn't Health or Money
For 13 seasons, Jonathan Joss was the voice of John Redcorn. He brought a specific, laid-back authenticity to the role that made Redcorn more than just a punchline. When Hulu ordered the revival, fans immediately started scanning the cast list. Joss wasn't on it. Silence from the studio led to speculation. But according to the show's boss, the decision had nothing to do with Joss's health or availability in the traditional sense.
The real reason stems from an incident involving Joss and law enforcement in San Antonio. Details are sparse, but the showrunners decided it was best to part ways creatively. The San Antonio Police Department was involved, and the situation made it untenable for the network to move forward with Joss attached to the project.
The tweet from SATXPolice doesn't name Joss directly, but sources close to the production confirm the incident was the catalyst. It wasn't a creative disagreement over the character's arc. It wasn't a contract dispute. It was a real-world situation that forced the show's hand. This isn't the first time an actor's off-screen life has impacted a beloved animated character, but it's rare to see the studio address it so directly.
What This Means for the Revival
This puts the King of the Hill revival in a tricky spot. John Redcorn is a core part of the ensemble. Recasting him means finding a voice actor who can capture that specific, gentle machismo without doing a simple impression. It also raises questions about how the character will evolve. Will the new actor lean into a different interpretation? Will the character's role be diminished? The show has always prided itself on its realistic, grounded take on Texas life. This backstage drama is, in a weird way, perfectly on-brand for a show that thrives on awkward, unavoidable situations.
Hulu hasn't announced a replacement voice actor yet. The revival is still deep in production, so a casting call is likely already out. For now, fans are left to digest the news that the voice of John Redcorn is changing for reasons that have nothing to do with the character himself. The new episodes will hit Hulu sometime next year, and we'll finally see what a new-look, new-voice Redcorn sounds like.
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