In a decision that marks the end of an era for one of Fox’s more heartfelt animated series, The Great North has been officially canceled and will not return for a sixth season. The network confirmed the news on October 3, 2025, just two weeks after the show’s fifth season concluded in September. The series followed the loving, if sometimes quirky, Tobin family and their life in the fictional Alaskan town of Lone Moose.
The cancellation brings closure to Fox’s 2025 lineup decisions and concludes a five-season run for the show, which was widely seen as being on the bubble. The writing had been on the wall since May, when Fox unveiled its 2025-2026 programming slate and The Great North was notably absent. This omission came after the network’s major animation deal with Disney’s 20th Television Animation in April, which secured the long-term futures of other shows.
The Official Announcement from Fox
Fox Television Network President Michael Thorn released a statement confirming the show’s end and expressing gratitude to the team behind it.
“We’re so grateful for everything Wendy, Lizzie, Loren and the amazing cast and crew put into The Great North,” said Thorn. “It’s difficult to say goodbye, but we’re thankful for the five hilarious seasons The Great North brought to the iconic Animation Domination lineup.”
The announcement solidifies the show’s fate after a period of uncertainty. While decisions on some other bubble shows were made in June, the choice regarding The Great North was delayed until after its fifth season had finished airing.
A Crowded Animation Lineup
The primary reason for the cancellation appears to be a crowded schedule on Fox’s Animation Domination block. In April 2025, Fox announced a massive multi-year renewal deal with several of its flagship animated series.
This deal included four-season pickups for The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Bob’s Burgers. It also marked the return of American Dad! to Fox, which also received a four-season order. On top of these, Fox-owned animated series Krapopolis and Grimsburg were also renewed. With so many slots filled for the coming years, there was no longer room for The Great North on the network’s lineup.
About The Great North and Its Creative Team
The Great North was created by Wendy Molyneux, Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin, and Minty Lewis. The Molyneux sisters, who are also executive producers on Bob’s Burgers, served as showrunners. Loren Bouchard, the creator of Bob’s Burgers, was also an executive producer on the series.
The show was a 20th Television Animation production, with its animation handled by Bento Box Entertainment. It premiered in January 2021 and stood out as Fox’s first animated comedy since Bob’s Burgers to find a lasting audience after a string of failed launches.
The Tobin Family of Lone Moose
At its core, the series was about the Alaskan adventures of the Tobin family. The story centered on single dad Beef Tobin (voiced by Nick Offerman), who did his best to keep his kids close as they navigated life and grew up.
The family included:
- Judy (Jenny Slate), Beef’s only daughter, whose artistic dreams pulled her away from the family fishing boat.
- Wolf (Will Forte), the oldest brother, and his wife Honeybee (Dulcé Sloan).
- Ham (Paul Rust), the middle brother.
- Moon (Aparna Nancherla), the 10-year-old going-on-50 little brother.
With the children’s mother not in the picture, Judy often sought guidance from her boss, Alyson (Megan Mullally), and her imaginary friend, who was voiced by Alanis Morissette and appeared in the Northern Lights.
Fan and Crew Reaction to the Cancellation
News of the cancellation was met with disappointment from fans and those who worked on the show. Aimee Steinberger, a director on multiple episodes, shared her thoughts on the social media platform Bluesky, calling the show one of the few she “genuinely loved.”
“In a world of cynical and mean shows, The Great North was not that,” Steinberger wrote. “The family loves and supports each other. I want to work on more shows like that. Either blood or found family.”
Many fans online echoed this sentiment, calling the show “sweet,” “funny,” and “criminally underrated.” Some noted that the Season 5 finale, which aired on September 14, 2025, had a sense of finality to it, providing a satisfying conclusion to the Tobins’ story.
The Show’s Performance and Legacy
During its fifth season, The Great North averaged about 532,000 total viewers when including delayed playback. This represented a modest 8% decline from the previous season. However, among the nine comedies Fox aired during the 2024-2025 TV season, it was the network’s least-watched scripted program, which ultimately contributed to its cancellation.
Despite its ratings, the show developed a dedicated fanbase who appreciated its focus on a supportive and loving family unit. The series distinguished itself with its kind-hearted humor and stories about the Tobin family supporting each other through various personal challenges in their small Alaskan town.
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