Why John Redcorn Isn’t in Season 15 of King of the Hill

Image: Hulu/Disney

King of the Hill has officially returned for its 15th season, marking the second installment since the show’s decade-and-a-half revival. Following their return to Arlen, Texas, from an extended stint in Saudi Arabia, Hank Hill (Mike Judge) and his wife, Peggy (Kathy Najimy), have been reacclimating to their familiar surroundings. While most of their neighbors remain largely unchanged, a significant shift has occurred: Nancy Gribble (Ashley Gardner) reignited her long-dormant affair with John Redcorn (Jonathan Joss), a storyline that had been dormant since season 4—much to the ignorance of her husband, Dale (the late Johnny Hardwick/Toby Huss).

This long-standing romantic entanglement has taken a fresh turn this season, and according to the show’s creative lead, the development stems from motives far more complex than viewers might anticipate.

On June 1, 2025, actor Jonathan Joss was fatally attacked by a neighbor. His untimely death occurred just two months before the premiere of season 14. Although Joss’ husband characterized the incident as a hate crime, local law enforcement stated that there was no evidence to suggest bias as a motive.

“Jonathan’s passing was a profound tragedy that caught us entirely off guard,” says showrunner Saladin Patterson. “He was such a gentle, vulnerable soul, and it serves as a heartbreaking reminder of how cruel and unpredictable life can be.”

John Redcorn makes a brief appearance in the fifth episode of season 15, “The Best Little Marriage in Texas,” which centers on Hank and Peggy attending a marital retreat. During the getaway, Peggy discovers that Dale and Nancy are facilitating a workshop on marital longevity—a situation she finds galling given Nancy’s history of infidelity. Eventually, Peggy maneuvers to replace the couple with herself and Hank. By the episode’s conclusion, Nancy confesses that the retreat has been instrumental in strengthening her bond with Dale. When John Redcorn arrives to collect her, Nancy informs him that her “headaches”—their long-standing euphemism for the affair—have ceased. Redcorn responds with a quiet, somber resignation, acknowledging the end of their era before driving away in a moment reminiscent of the iconic 1970s public service announcement.

While audiences might assume the cessation of the affair was a reaction to the actor’s real-life passing, the timing suggests otherwise. Joss was credited in the episode, having completed his voice work well before his death. “The reality is that we had finalized that script and completed the episode long before he passed away,” Patterson clarifies. “It may feel like a direct response to the tragedy, but the episode was already essentially finished.”

Patterson and executive producers Mike Judge and Greg Daniels never intended for the character’s departure to be definitive. “We purposefully left the door ajar,” Patterson notes. “In our minds, the possibility of bringing John Redcorn back always remained on the table,” echoing the flexible approach the original series took to the character’s presence.

The decision to halt the affair was rooted in a narrative desire to re-examine the dynamics of long-term partnership. “We wanted to explore the challenges faced by characters at this particular stage in their lives,” Patterson explains. “After 20 or 30 years of marriage, you inevitably look in the mirror and ask, ‘Who have we become?’ We wanted to pivot toward that introspection. Placing a ‘pause’ on the affair allowed us to frame Nancy’s perspective that this current phase of her life has actually been beneficial for her marriage—a sentiment many long-term partners can identify with.”

However, the loss of Joss has undeniably added a layer of gravity to those future narrative choices. “With Jonathan gone, we face the delicate question of whether that ‘pause’ should become a permanent conclusion,” says Patterson. “It remains an open-ended narrative device, much like the fates of Luanne and Lucky. If a story requires his return, we are open to it, though we acknowledge the complexities of recasting such a legacy role. It is a decision we approach with immense caution and respect.”

King of the Hill season 15 is currently streaming on Hulu.

Source: Polygon