Hulu's 36-Episode Star Trek Replacement Is A Masterclass In Mixing Genres

Published Oct 11, 2026, 9:30 PM EDT

Tom is a Senior Staff Writer at Screen Rant, with expertise covering everything from hilarious sitcoms to jaw-dropping sci-fi epics.

Initially he was an Updates writer, though before long he found his way to the TV and movies team. He now spends his days keeping Screen Rant readers informed about the TV shows of yesteryear, whether it's recommending hidden gems that may have been missed by genre fans or deep diving into ways your favorite shows have (or haven't) stood the test of time.

Tom is based in the UK and when he's not writing about TV shows, he's watching them. He's also an avid horror fiction writer, gamer, and has a Dungeons and Dragons habit that he tries (and fails) to keep in check.

Space opera TV shows have evolved considerably since the days of classic Star Trek, but few have managed to recapture what makes it so beloved. Modern space operas like The Expanse, Battlestar Galactica, and Foundation push the genre in exciting new directions, but none quite scratch the same itch as the original adventures of the USS Enterprise. There's something about the spirit of classic Star Trek that remains surprisingly difficult to replicate.

Even modern Star Trek shows don't seem to tap into the optimistic spirit of adventure and discovery that defined Star Trek: The Original Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager. However, there is a streaming era series that manages to recreate everything that made Star Trek iconic despite not actually being part of the franchise. Seth MacFarlane's The Orville may essentially be a thinly veiled Star Trek parody, but beneath its comedy lies a genuine understanding of everything that made the franchise's earlier eras so special.

The Orville takes place in its own universe, trading the United Federation for the Planetary Union and populating its galaxy with unique alien races and planets, but the set-up is quintessentially Star Trek. Led by Captain Ed Mercer (Seth MacFarlane), the crew of the titular exploratory vessel, The Orville, spend the show’s three seasons navigating the stars and encountering strange civilizations. The way it balances hilarity with science fiction spectacle is extraordinary, and what’s more, it's arguably the closest thing to a true spiritual successor to Star Trek's golden age.

Sci-Fi And Comedy Blend Seamlessly In The Orville

Combining sci-fi and comedy isn't easy. Lean too far into sci-fi and jokes don’t land, lean too far into comedy and the serious moments lose dramatic impact. The Orville, however, always ensures that its comedy never comes at the expense of its science fiction and that it's lore doesn't get in the way of a good joke. The show's futuristic technology and interstellar politics, along with the interpersonal character drama, are treated with absolute sincerity. Rather than simply using its setting as an excuse for silliness, The Orville develops a convincing fictional universe with enough depth to support ambitious sci-fi and genuinely gripping adventures.

This commitment to science fiction is particularly evident in episodes of The Orville like "Majority Rule," which explores the terrifying implications of a society governed by public approval ratings. Meanwhile, "About a Girl" tackles gender identity, cultural traditions, and personal autonomy through the story of Bortus (Peter Macon) and his Moclan family. These are just two examples from its 36 episodes that prove the Hulu show has no problems exploring serious philosophical questions without sacrificing entertainment value, just like Star Trek in its golden age.

The comedy in The Orville is equally impressive, and the show doesn’t need to rely on directly parodying Star Trek to get laughs. In fact, most of its humor comes from the everyday interactions between the crew, whose personalities and relationships feel remarkably contemporary despite their futuristic surroundings. Crucially, neither genre overwhelms the other. The Orville knows when to embrace absurdity and when to allow its dramatic storytelling to take center stage. The show delivers genuinely emotional moments without abandoning the personality that makes it distinctive, leading to a pitch-perfect sci-fi comedy viewing experience.

The Orville Is A Better Star Trek Show Than Modern Star Trek Shows

Beyond achieving a masterful tonal balance between comedy and sci-fi, The Orville's greatest achievement is that it transcends the franchise it parodies. Despite not being a Star Trek series, The Orville frequently feels closer to classic Trek than many modern Trek shows. Its episodic adventures, philosophical dilemmas, optimistic vision of humanity's future, and emphasis on exploration all tap into what made Gene Roddenberry's original creation so influential.

This becomes particularly apparent when comparing The Orville with Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Picard. Both modern Star Trek series embraced the darker storytelling and serialized narratives that define streaming era space operas. It was a significant departure from the adventurous optimism of earlier Star Trek shows, and not every fan was on board with the change. By contrast, The Orville embraces classic Star Trek’s philosophy that sci-fi can explore difficult subjects without abandoning its fundamentally hopeful outlook.

Few modern sci-fi shows understand the appeal of golden-age Star Trek quite as completely as The Orville. Its combination of humor and thought-provoking storytelling driven by a sense of optimistic interstellar exploration makes it an exceptional spiritual successor, and one that arguably surpasses several official installments in the franchise that inspired it. Star Trek fans disappointed at the likes of Discovery, Picard, and even Strange New Worlds would do well to make The Orville their next destination.