The longest-running children’s animated show in the history of American television, Arthur is ending with its 25th season.
Kathy Waugh, who originally developed the show from the “Arthur Adventure” books by Marc Brown, spilled the tea on the Finding DW podcast with Jason Szwimer.
“Arthur is no longer in production. We had our wrap party two years ago,” Waugh told Szwimer.
“I think [PBS] made a mistake, and I think Arthur should come back and I’m know I’m not alone in thinking they made a mistake. I don’t know if it was a ratings issue or if it felt like it needed to be retired. To me, it felt evergreen, like it was never going to end but it did end, we finished the last episode, season 25 two years ago.”
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Carol Greenwald, executive producer of Arthur also confirmed the news to Deadline.
“Arthur is the longest-running kids animated series in history and is known for teaching kindness, empathy and inclusion through many groundbreaking moments to generations of viewers. In the winter of 2022, the 25th and final season of Arthur will debut. Arthur will continue to be available on PBS Kids for years to come. Producer GBH and PBS Kids are continuing to work together on additional Arthur content, sharing the lessons of Arthur and his friends in new ways,” she said.
According to Complex, in 2016, Brown acknowledged the milestone which was the show’s 20th anniversary, and said that he couldn’t have fathomed what a hit his stories would become.
“I could never have dreamed, 20 years ago, the wonderful adventure I was about to have with Arthur,” Brown said at the time.
“It’s been so much fun working with the many talented, smart people who make Arthur happen. I think what’s most rewarding for all of us is using the medium of television to try and make children successful.”
The show first aired in October of 1996, and has run for more than 240 episodes.
Arthur has also won four Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Children’s Animated Program, and a Peabody Award amongst other awards.
