After a lot of speculation, cable network FXX has announced that it has renewed its award-winning adult animated comedy series ‘Archer’ for season 12.
Created by Adam Reed, adult animation ‘Archer’ is a 2009 spy comedy series that was featured as a part of FX’s broadcast line-up till 2016, before being moved to sister channel FXX. The multi-Primetime Emmy Awards and Critics Choice Awards winner has not only received critical acclaim but has also become a fan favourite over the years. The show is known for its meta-comedy and rapid-fire dialogue infusion and has been hailed as one of the best adult animations ever made. The release of season 11 was delayed due to COVID-19, but a month after its successful premiere on September 16, 2020, ‘Archer’ was renewed for season 12.
Highlights —
- ‘Archer’: An animated twist on the spy comedy genre
- Season 11: Major changes that were revealed
- Season 12: Everything we know yet
‘Archer’: An animated twist on the spy comedy genre
‘Archer’ is an unapologetic comedy that revolves around a group of dysfunctional secret agents working together at an intelligence agency called ISIS. Sterling Archer (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin) is a politically incorrect, self-centred womanizer who serves as the protagonist on the show. His unhealthy relationship with his mother Malory (voiced by Jessica Walter), who is also the director of ISIS, is a frequently explored storyline in the show. The rest of the characters include Lana Kane (voiced by Aisha Tyler), Sterling’s love interest and fellow agent Pam Poovey (voiced by Amber Nash), the head of human resources Cheryl Tunt (voiced by Judy Greer), Malory’s delusional assistant, and Ray Gillette (voiced by Adam Reed), the agency’s openly gay bomb specialist and Agent Cyril Figgis (voiced by Chris Parnell).
‘Archer’ is influenced by the James Bond franchise and often relies on pop-culture references for its humour. It uses the standard set-up of a workplace comedy and has aesthetics similar to those of AMC’s 2007 period drama ‘Mad Men’. Its style of comedy has changed a lot over the years and despite following the typical sitcom pattern during the initial few seasons, it assumed the arrangement of an anthology in the later seasons.
‘Archer’ has widely been praised for its unique story and interesting characters and is one of the most successful adult animated comedies to have ever been made, worldwide.
Season 11: Major changes that were revealed
During seasons 8, 9, and 10, Sterling Archer was shown to be in a coma and the episodes were a representation of his coma dreams. Season 11 finally witnessed Archer waking up from the coma and struggling with the changes that had taken place in the 3 years he was unconscious. The season picks up where the show had halted at the end of season 7.
The finale of season 11 saw Archer and the others head to Antarctica to solve an international murder mystery. The season ended with the team saving the world and the status quo is restored.
Season 11 was quite a pleasant surprise for fans as there was a lot of speculation indicating that the series would be ending after season 10. Seeing how the total number of viewers was up by 32% in season 11, the network renewed ‘Archer’ for a twelfth season.
Season 12: Everything we know yet
While talking about the upcoming season 12, executive producer Casey Willis teased,
“We’re very excited to get renewed for another season. Season 11 was just the tip of the iceberg (*wink*) and we look forward to building on it. We are working on some great stories and exploring relationships and character histories. We also want to do some more globetrotting and create situations and visuals we have never seen before in the series. We are Barry, Barry excited!”
Nick Grad, president of original programming for FX Entertainment, confirmed the renewal on October 21, 2020, saying,
“Archer is back in a big way this season, with viewership up as the Emmy Award-winning spy series returns to its roots and begins to plot a 12th season next year”.
Fans are super excited to see Archer back in action and are anticipating some incredible storytelling from the upcoming season 12.
Are you a fan of the series? What do you think should be the focus of season 12? Tell us in the comments below.
