Why Hank Moved to Saudi Arabia in King of the Hill Explained

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Mike Judge, co-creator of the show “King of the Hill,” recently explained why character Hank Hill lived in Saudi Arabia for several years before returning to Arlen. In a recent interview, Judge stated that this move was crucial for the revival on Hulu as it establishes Hank’s reintroduction to an America significantly transformed from his absence.

Mike Judge explains why Hank moves to Saudi Arabia in King of the Hill

In King of the Hill’s revival on Hulu, characters Hank and Peggy Hill come back to their hometown, Arlen, following a stint of nearly two decades in Saudi Arabia, where Hank held a position as an “assistant manager overseeing Arabian propane and its accessories.” The action unfolds fifteen years after the original series.

Mike Judge, one of the creators of the show, mentioned during discussions for the revival, the concept of Hank and Peggy moving abroad emerged organically. As they brainstormed various ideas, they landed on this idea where Hank and Peggy had been residing in Saudi Arabia for an extended period and then return home. The storyline developed from there, making it a logical starting point according to Judge. He also mentioned that he noticed fans on Twitter suggesting that Bobby and Connie have grown up, implying that the show should reflect this development, thereby hinting at the universe guiding their decision-making process.

The judge clarified that growing the characters in age was essential to preserve the realistic atmosphere of the series. “Since our program leans more towards realism compared to other animated productions such as The Simpsons, it felt appropriate to consider the maturation process, even during the early seasons, especially for Bobby’s character. It simply seemed like a logical progression for us.

Apart from that, he also characterized Hank’s time overseas as somewhat utopian. Here’s another way of expressing it: “The Aramco base [petroleum company] was a kind of idyllic, idealized American city for its inhabitants abroad. For Hank, it felt like paradise. He found himself in a dreamlike setting, and upon his return to America, he was taken aback, asking himself, ‘What on earth happened?’

The judge remarked that Hank’s comeback indicates his struggle with a transformed environment. “Hank Hill has returned, and he’s clearly not happy about it.

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2025-08-06 09:06