The Orville season 1

The first season of *The Orville*, a comedy-drama science fiction series, aired on Fox between September 10 and December 7, 2017. Seth MacFarlane created the show, wrote it, and stars as Captain Ed Mercer, who commands the exploratory vessel *Orville*. The story is set roughly four centuries in the future and centers on the ship’s crew as they encounter both the perils and marvels of space, all while navigating ordinary, everyday issues.

Key story arcs involve Ed and his ex-wife, Commander Kelly Grayson (played by Adrianne Palicki), working to mend their relationship; security chief Alara Kitan facing the pressures of being a Union officer; tactical officer Bortus questioning the traditions of his all-male homeworld after his child is born; and the crew clashing with a hostile alien species called the Krill.

The main cast includes MacFarlane as Captain Ed Mercer, a once-promising officer whose career stalled after his wife’s infidelity led to a divorce and a reputation for being hungover and lax on duty. Thanks to Kelly’s intervention, he is given command of the research ship *Orville* on the condition that she serves as his first officer. Adrianne Palicki plays Commander Kelly Grayson, who secures her ex-husband the command but only if she is appointed his second-in-command. Penny Johnson Jerald portrays Dr. Claire Finn, the chief medical officer with expertise in molecular surgery, DNA engineering, and psychiatry, who chose the *Orville* because she prefers to be where the action is. Scott Grimes is Lieutenant Gordon Malloy, the helmsman and Mercer’s best friend, considered the fleet’s best pilot but previously stuck at a desk job after a reckless docking maneuver. Peter Macon plays Lieutenant Commander Bortus, the tactical officer from the all-male planet Moclus, known for his discipline and open-mindedness. Halston Sage is Lieutenant Alara Kitan, a Xelayan with superhuman strength who serves as security chief and fourth in command, eager to prove herself against her parents’ wishes. J Lee plays Lieutenant (later Lieutenant Commander) John LaMarr, the navigation officer and Gordon’s partner in mischief. Mark Jackson plays Isaac, a Kaylon artificial life-form recruited by the Union as the ship’s science officer for diplomatic reasons, the only non-human crew member.

Recurring characters include Victor Garber as Admiral Tom Halsey, Chad L.