'The Orville' Season 2 Details Revealed By Seth MacFarlane

Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane's Star Trek-inspired sci-fi comedy drama The Orville has been renewed for a second season at Fox, and MacFarlane promises the second season will be bigger.

"I think it's going to be at least 14 [episodes]," MacFarlane told the Television Critics Association during the winter press tour (via TV Guide).

The sophomore season will feature more episodes than The Orville's initial shorter-than-expected 12-episode run, and its 14-episode order count — much shorter than the typical 22-episodes for most broadcast shows — gives the filmmakers an opportunity to craft stronger episodes.

"I'd rather do fewer episodes and have them be better content-wise than do 22 and have them be filler," MacFarlane explained.

Asked if season two of The Orville will match its predecessor's September premiere and arrive this fall, MacFarlane answered, "No, there's too much to do," referencing the special effects-heavy nature of the series.

Family Guy producer Rich Appel said "we'll see" in regards to a potential crossover between the two MacFarlane-lead series.

MacFarlane, who has long produced for Fox with Family Guy, American Dad, and The Cleveland Show, recently spoke publicly on Disney's purchase of 21st Century Fox's film and television assets, explaining he doesn't expect his work situation to change under new boss Disney.

The Orville could return in 2019 at the earliest.