Arthur, the longest-running children’s show in the history of the United States, is set to wrap up after 25 seasons, with the final season scheduled to run in the winter of next year.
Carol Greenwald, executive producer for the series, confirmed its impending cancellation, telling IGN, “In the winter of 2022, the 25th and final season of ‘Arthur’ will debut.”
The news was first floated by Kathy Waugh, creative producer and longtime collaborator on the Arthur TV show. Kathy stated in a July 13 interview on the Arthur-themed podcast Finding D.W. that the show was “no longer in production.” Waugh went on to say that the series finale had already been written and that the crew had its wrap party two years prior.
Arthur first aired in 1996 on PBS, according to the New York Times. The network has, until now, kept the anthropomorphic aardvark’s episodes as a staple of its programming.
Waugh did not know whether a dip in ratings was the reason for stopping the show or if the network had simply decided to wrap up the iconic series.
The show made headlines in 2019 after announcing an episode would feature a gay wedding between Arthur’s teacher, Mr. Ratburn, and his aardvark husband, Patrick. Alabama Public Television refused to air the episode, leading to public outcry.
The show boasts four Emmys and one Peabody Award over the course of its run, according to Fox News.
