Futurama season 11 brought back many of the beloved characters from throughout the show’s history, but these 10 missing characters still need to show up in season 12. The Futurama universe is quite an expansive one, with the world of the series being populated by all kinds of zany recurring and one-off characters. Futurama season 11 did a pretty good job of bringing back a good chunk of the most beloved Futurama side characters, but it did miss out on some significant ones. So, here are 10 characters that could still appear in Futurama season 12.
Futurama is finally back, with Hulu reviving the beloved Matt Groening sci-fi series for an eleventh season more than a decade after the show last went off the air. Futurama season 11 has concluded with episode 10 “All the Way Down,” with the stellar batch of episodes proving that the show has been able to maintain the elements that keep it special. The storylines, gags, high-concept sci-fi, and main characters are all still there, leading to the new season’s positive critical reception. However, there are still several side characters that went missing from season 11, and Futurama season 12 should take the opportunity to bring them back.
10 Yancy Fry Jr.
Yancy Fry Jr. is a side character that has had a significant role in some episodes of Futurama, but he didn’t appear in Futurama season 11 at all. Yancy Fry Jr. is the brother of Philip J. Fry, Futurama‘s main character, so it is odd that he was completely absent from the season. This was most likely due to Yancy Jr. living 1000 years before the events of Futurama, and since Fry was a bit sidelined in season 11, there wasn’t really a reason to feature Yancy Jr. flashbacks. However, it is always possible that season 12 could reverse course.
9 Yancy Fry Sr.
Much like his son, Yancy Fry Sr. also didn’t get to make an appearance in the first season of Hulu’s Futurama revivial. Yancy Fry Sr. is the father of Fry and the distant grandfather of Professor Farnsworth, meaning that he is a siginifcant character in the lives of two members of the Planet Express crew. Since Futurama season 11 didn’t focus on the past, Yancy Fry Sr. was missing from the new batch of episodes alongisde his son, meaning that season 12 could decide to bring him back as well.
8 Abner Doubledeal
Abner Doubledeal is a recurring gag character throughout Futurama, but despite him being generally popular with fans, he didn’t appear in season 11. Abner Doubledeal is a quick-talking shady businessman who is known for providing the Planet Express crew with money for their various ventures, such as when Leela started the fictional in-universe TV series Rumbledy-hump. Although he isn’t a major character, it would be nice to see him return in the show’s future.
7 Flexo
Flexo is a fun Futurama character that is often present in Bender-centric storylines, and since Bender served more of a supporting role in Futurama season 11, Flexo didn’t appear at all. Flexo is a rival Bending Unit that often gets under Bender’s skin, with him attempting to replace Bender as Fry’s best friend. Flexo isn’t Futurama‘s most norotious villain, but he is a fun supporting antagonist who has occasionally appeared in the past, meaning that it would be fun to feature him again in season 12.
6 Ethan “Bubblegum” Tate
The Globetrotters are some of Futurama‘s most iconic side characters, with the basketball team actually consisting of brilliant scientists in the show’s universe. Two of the Globetrotters are named characters who have recurring appearances throughout the series, and the first of these is Ethan “Bubblegum” Tate. The Globetrotter is not only a great side character to have around, but he is also voiced by Hermes actor Phil LaMarr, making the choice not to bring the character back in season 11 a strange one. However, it is entirely possible that this beloved Globetrotter could return in season 12.
5 “Sweet” Clyde Dixon
“Sweet” Clyde Dixon is another one of Futurama‘s Globetrotters, with the character also not appearing in season 11. “Sweet” Clyde Dixon is a black character voiced by white actor David Herman, so it makes a little more sense why they didn’t bring him back. However, Futurama season 11 recast several characters who were previously voiced by actors of different races, so it’s possible that season 12 could pull off this strategy again.
4 Guenter
Guenter is a super-intelligent monkey that is the product of one of Professor Farnsworth’s experiments, and while he isn’t a major character, he is fun to have around. Sadly, the character never appeared in Futurama season 11. Guenter was last seen living on a planet entirely consisting of primates, so it’s possible that this location could be seen again in season 12. However, it could also be that Guenter simply moved once again, as Futurama isn’t known for its strict continuity.
3 Michelle Jenkins
Michelle Jenkins is one of Futurama‘s most interesting characters, as she is one of the few inhabitants of the 31st century to have actually originated from the 20th century. Much like Fry, Michelle entered a cryogenic freezing chamber and sent herself to the future, only for her to begin dating Fry. Although Fry and Michelle’s romantic arc has ended, Michelle has still managed to make several appearances throughout the show, and she could pop up again in Futurama season 12.
2 Malfunctioning Eddie
Malfunctioning Eddie is the titular owner of Malfunctioning Eddie’s Rocket-Car Emporium, with the side character having brief but hilarious appearances in several episodes of Futurama. It has been a while since Malfunctioning Eddie has been seen, with him not appearing in season 11 at all, but it’s possible that season 12 could find an excuse to bring him back.
1 Nine
Nine is an incredibly interesting Futurama character, with his major role in the series rarely getting touched upon anymore. Nine was originally a background character, with the show itnending for him to hint at a major class divide in the Futurama universe. However, the series changed course with the movie Into the Wild Green Yonder, in which Nine is the leader of a group of underground psychics. It is nice to see Nine pop up, serving as a reminder of Futurama‘s grander story, so it is possible he could reappear in Futurama season 12.
