In a podcast interview from late 2023, Palicki suggested that she would be unlikely to return as Cmdr. Kelly Grayson for a fourth season.

“No longer doing that,” the actress said about The Orville before noting that she didn’t know whether it would come back. Palicki explained that it was tough to make herself available for shooting, given the long production breaks: “It became an actual, real issue because there would be so much time in between seasons. Seth wanted to write everything himself, so it would just take so much time.” She added, “I did love so many things about it. I think it was the process that was hard.”

It’d be weird without Palicki in her role as Commander Kelly, but I’m sure Seth could find a way to write in a reason for a recast.

[–] MimicJar@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago

FWIW Palicki has had steady work since 2023, but I don't see anything reoccurring listed on IMDB at the moment that would conflict with filming The Orville, or at the very least making a few appearances as a reoccurring character if not part of the main cast.

Plus the last season was filmed in 2021, released in 2022. The earliest this gets back on track is late 2026, realistically 2027 (and if I'm being honest, probably 2028). That's plenty of time to adjust and schedule things.