Arthur fans are saying "hey (hey!)" one last time as the beloved children's series airs its final episodes on PBS and PBS KIDS. After 25 seasons and 253 episodes, the finale season of Arthur concludes with a final four episodes premiering on February 21. PBS announced the end of Arthur last year, concluding creator Marc Brown's educational series about bespectacled aardvark Arthur Read (voice of Roman Lutterotti) and friends. Monday's series finale, "All Grown Up," will flash forward 25 years to reveal the characters as grown-ups — and now adults who grew up with the series are saying goodbye as PBS closes the book on Arthur.
"It was wonderful to see the response. I'm still getting many messages on my Instagram page: 'Is Arthur really over?'" Brown told The New York Times of the Internet's impassioned response to Arthur's 25th and final season. "I love seeing reactions from these young adults who grew up with Arthur, the fact that these characters are still fresh in their minds. It's great that he's touched so many people so deeply that they want him to continue."
Arthur ends as the longest-running kids' animated series on television. In the final four episodes, Arthur and his friends solve a mystery, see a silent movie, find out what it's like to be a reporter, learn how to help a grieving friend, go on a family vacation, and get a hint of their futures from a mysterious fortune-telling game, according to PBS.
All 25 seasons and more than 250 episodes of Arthur continue to be available on PBS KIDS. The Arthur: 25 Years marathon continues with back-to-back episodes on the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel and livestream, as well as on the PBS KIDS YouTube channel until 5:00 p.m. EST. The four brand-new episodes will air on PBS stations (check local listings) and stream free on PBS KIDS on February 21, concluding the show's 25th and final television season, according to PBS.
"For more than 25 years, Arthur and his friends have kept viewers learning and growing through their true-to-life experiences," Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS, said in a statement. "We can't wait to debut these episodes and introduce new Arthur content that will give fans more ways to engage with their favorite aardvark."