‘Hey Arnold!’ Creators in Talks With Paramount to Bring Back Cult Animated Series

Nickelodeon’s cult animated series “Hey Arnold!” (Hey Arnold!) could be getting a new continuation. Original show writer and producer Joe Purdy confirmed to The Direct that the creators are in active talks with executives at media conglomerate Paramount.

Production on new episodes has not officially started yet, but the project team has already mapped out key storylines and a concept for returning to Hillwood.

Character Ages and Changes in Hillwood

The creators emphasized that they do not plan to turn the schoolchildren into adults: Arnold, Helga, Gerald, and the rest of the characters will age by just one or two years.

Universe creator Craig Bartlett plans to maintain the warm, melancholic atmosphere of the original while showcasing a changed city. One of the central themes will be the gentrification of Hillwood — the gradual disappearance of familiar old neighborhoods and the arrival of a new urban rhythm.

Impact of Technology and Production Status

Significant changes will affect the characters’ daily lives: while only Rhonda had a mobile phone in the 2017 animated feature “Hey Arnold!: The Jungle Movie”, almost all the kids will use smartphones in the new series. The writers want to explore the impact of gadgets and constant information noise on friendship and school life, while avoiding fleeting political agendas.

The original series aired on Nickelodeon from 1996 to 2004, spanning five seasons and earning cult classic status in animation. According to the creators, the team is fully prepared to start work on the animation as soon as the deal receives final approval from Paramount.