If The Orville returns, they may follow the same path as crime-thriller series Dexter

The Orville is one of the most perfect complimentary shows for Star Trek fans. Originally envisioned as a comedic take on Star Trek, the show slowly evolved into a Star Trek clone, resembling a series from the 1990s. Just with some humor in it. The series has been around since 2017 but hasn't had a new season since 2022 and fans have only gotten three seasons across those seven years.

A potential fourth season remains a significant possibility, and one we're all hoping for. Yet, with the departure of Adrianne Palicki following season three, it seems like The Orville is set for a brand new era should it return. Citing the slow-shooting pace of the series, and the way that affects her and her coworker's ability to get other jobs, Palicki opted to leave the show.

She wouldn't be the first original crew member to leave, with Halston Sage leaving during season two. The series also lost beloved castmate Norm Macdonald passed away. With three of the original crew members gone, and possibly more on their way out, a new era would certainly be upon us.

It's not like The Orville hasn't dealt with that before. They left Fox after the network didn't want a third season and went to Hulu and in doing so, rebranded itself for their debut on the streaming service. With the debut of the third season, the show became The Orville: New Horizons. Clearly showing an ability to adapt to the times and direction of the franchise.

Making it possible a fourth season may have yet another new subtitle. This is something that we're seeing more and more with shows. Most notably with the Paramount/Showtime series, Dexter. After an eight-season run, it returned for a ninth season called "Dexter: New Blood". It was a solid hit for the franchise, enough to launch a prequel series called "Dexter: Original Sin" and a 10th season of the original series. This one is to be called "Dexter: Resurrection".

If The Orville returns for a fourth season, they'll likely have a new subtitle, just like Dexter has been doing, to help create an expectation of uniqueness from prior seasons. That way fans have different expectations of what to expect with The Orville's fourth season as opposed to its past three seasons.