Seth MacFarlane’s acclaimed sci-fi show “The Orville” reportedly has a fourth season in the works. But according to sources claiming to be close to production, Adrianne Palicki is not set to return as Commander Kelly Grayson. Palicki stated on a podcast in November 2023 that she was “no longer doing [The Orville].” Since then, however, she has been vocal and enthusiastic about her support for the show and her hope to be included, saying at FedCon in May 2024 that she “[hopes] we get a fourth season.” Despite this, Planetary Union Podcast has stated that the character of Kelly Grayson has been removed and that a new character will be taking her place. According to Colin Krapp of the Orville Facebook Group admin team, “Kelly has been written out and a new character has been created. … [I]t’s not [Palicki’s] decision to make anymore.”

Kelly has always been a pivotal figure among the characters of “The Orville.” The breakdown of her marriage to lead character Captain Ed Mercer (Seth MacFarlane) kicks off the events of the show, and it is she who lobbies for Ed to get command of the Orville before voluntarily joining the crew as his first officer. Throughout the show, Kelly has served as a support and advisor to the crew, most notably Ed, with the couple’s developing relationship, both personal and professional, acting as a focal point for the show and its atmosphere. Kelly is responsible for the promotion of navigator John Lamarr (J. Lee) to chief engineer of the ship. She is the trusted confidante of young security chief Alara Kitan (Halston Sage), as well as a close friend to Alara’s replacement, Talla Keyali (Jessica Szohr). Near the end of the third season, Kelly acts as maid-of-honor at the wedding of Dr. Claire Finn (Penny Johnson Jerald) to the Kaylon emissary Isaac (Mark Jackson). She guides helmsman Gordon Malloy (Scott Grimes) through the struggles of wanting a relationship and figuring out if command is right for him. Kelly is instrumental in the story of Moclan second officer Bortus (Peter Macon) and his family. She fights for the rights of Bortus’ daughter Topa (Imani Pullum) from the day she is born and is vital to Topa’s story of learning and embracing her true identity. When the third season ends, Kelly is helping newcomer Lysella (Giorgia Whigham) acclimate to life on the Orville, promising to be an older sister figure for her. Admiral Halsey (Victor Garber) shows a special interest in the Orville’s crew because of his friendship with Kelly’s late father.

Kelly as a character is important to several plot lines. In one episode, she breaks the Union’s version of the Prime Directive, accidentally causing a religion to form around her on a planet the crew discovers. Years later, one of the planet’s immortal inhabitants (Liz Gillies) decides to experiment on mortal life forms and chooses the Orville’s crew due to Kelly’s position on the ship. During another adventure, Kelly helps a segment of a planet’s population realize that they should not be treated as inferior beings for being born under a “bad star.” She is so impactful that a mother on the planet names her newborn child after her. When a female-dominant race called the Janisi arrive to discuss an alliance with the Union, it is Kelly who finally convinces them to consider the idea by revealing to them the unconventional nature of her relationship with Ed. In a particularly memorable episode, Kelly’s past self time travels to the present, causing both versions of Kelly to undergo some personal reflection. When younger Kelly is sent back to her own time, she inadvertently demonstrates her own importance to the timeline by refusing Ed’s request for a second date, setting off a devastating chain of events that will destroy all biological life if she cannot gather the crew together to fix her mistake.

Adrianne Palicki herself represents the show well at numerous conventions. She always speaks very positively of her time on the show and of working with everyone on the set. She voices high praise for Seth MacFarlane, calling him “the best teacher” for a Star Trek/sci-fi environment. People who have met and interacted with her have been impressed by how kind and open she is.

Kelly Grayson is irreplaceable. She’s a leader and mentor who follows her conscience and is respected for her instincts and emotional intelligence. She helps other characters to grow and mature and is central to many continuing storylines of the show. She is an inspiring female character in the sci-fi world. Please sign this petition to let Seth MacFarlane, Fuzzy Door Productions, and Disney/Hulu know that we want to see Kelly return, played by Adrianne Palicki, in The Orville’s fourth season.