Actor Toby Huss is returning to voice the character of conspiracy theorist Dale Gribble in the Hulu revival of "King of the Hill," a role previously held by the late Johnny Hardwick. Hardwick passed away in August 2023, several months after the series' reboot was confirmed.
Huss explained that the show's creators, Greg Daniels, Mike Judge, and Saladin Patterson, felt he could adequately take on the voice for Dale. After performing the voice during read-throughs, it was decided he would step into the role. "Of course I want to do it. Because he was an old friend, and a sweet guy, and really weirdly talented," Huss said of Hardwick. He described Hardwick as "our lovely nut, and we loved it."
The new season of "King of the Hill" marks the second season of its streaming revival and follows the show's renewal for two additional seasons by Hulu. Huss attributes the show's enduring success to its "kindness." "At the end of the day, there’s nothing mean in that show. It’s about kindness, and nothing is ironic in that show," Huss stated. "It’s very sincere, and it’s not a political show. They rarely make a political point on anything. So it’s about a family, and it’s about them being kind to each other and understanding each other, and at its heart, nobody gets to be mean on that show to each other."
Huss acknowledged the fine line he walks in voicing Dale, aiming to pay homage to Hardwick's original portrayal while infusing his own touches. "I don’t want to change it too much because what Johnny made was so great," Huss said. He noted that much of Dale's character was developed by Hardwick himself. Huss's focus is on staying within the established world of the character.
The recording process for the show has shifted from the original run, where actors often recorded together. Huss recalled the earlier days fondly, describing it as a time of shared growth and cemented friendships. While the current individualized recording process differs, he noted that the cast maintains a strong connection.
Reflecting on the series' ability to age its characters, Huss found it a challenging but successful endeavor. He noted that the show's sincerity and focus on familial bonds, even amidst contentious moments, contribute to its timeless quality. "Even though those people might really get contentious, God, they love each other, and that’s what families do," he said.
Huss also touched on the long-running storyline of Nancy Gribble's affair with John Redcorn and Dale's apparent unawareness. Huss believes Dale's character harbors a fundamental belief that Nancy would not stray. "There’s something wonderfully blind about Dale, and there’s something wonderfully blind about a lot of the characters in there," Huss remarked. "We all have little weird blind spots that we can’t see, we can’t access, and Dale’s that dude."
Beyond "King of the Hill," Huss has appeared in other recent shows, including "Widow's Bay," "Chad Powers," and "The Four Seasons." He spoke positively about his experience working with Matthew Rhys and the director Hiro Murai on "Widow's Bay," and highlighted Stephen Root's performance in the series, for which Root received an Emmy nomination. Huss mentioned that "Chad Powers" has already wrapped its second season. Regarding "The Four Seasons," Huss expressed enjoyment of the series and admiration for its cast, including Tina Fey, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Will Forte, Colman Domingo, and Marco Calvani.