SpongeBob Squarepants Returning For Season 12 In 2019

05/23/2017 01:22 pm EDT

Oooooooh, what pineapple-dweller's returning to TV? SpongeBob Squarepants! Nickelodeon has just announced that the popular animated series will be given a 12th season, which is set to debut in 2019.

According to Deadline, the children's network has greenlit SpongeBob for season 12, even before the 11th season has debuted. The next season is set to air on Nickelodeon this summer, with season 12 hitting the network in 2019. That date is significant, as it marks the 20th anniversary of the original premiere.

All of the original cast that fans fell in love with will be back for the new episodes. This includes Tom Kenny as SpongeBob, Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick, Roger Bumpass as Squidward, Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy, Mr. Lawrence as Plankton, and Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs.

Fagerbakke was excited to learn about the renewal, and he was happy to bring Patrick to life for another generation.

"What delightful news- Patrick lives!," Fagerbakke said. "Working with such a talented cast, production team and brilliant and indefatigable creative staff all under such steady stewardship from Nickelodeon is such a gift. I feel so privileged to be part of a touchstone for an entire generation, as goofy as my part may be."

SpongeBob's 11th season will debut this summer, and is executive produced by the original Stpehen Hillenburg. Many throwback characters will appear in the upcoming episodes, including Doodle Bob, Bubble Buddy, Man Ray, and Cave SpongeBob.

MORE SPONGEBOB NEWS: SpongeBob Musical: First Look At Cast As SpongeBob, Squidward, Patrick & Sandy / Happy Days Cast Guest Star On SpongeBob SquarePants / The SpongeBob Musical Poster, Cast, & Plot Details Announced / Bob Barker Guest Stars On SpongeBob SquarePants

SpongeBob SquarePants has emerged as a global pop culture phenomenon since first premiering on Nickelodeon in July 1999. The series has been the most-watched animated program for more than 14 consecutive years, and is seen in over 185 countries and translated in more than 50 languages. The character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurably optimistic and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends.

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