METAL HEAD

The man inside the Kaylon AI science officer on board The Orville

Mark Jackson, the man inside The Orville’s genius AI, Isaac, on the show’s second season.

TWO IS NEW

“It feels like a fresh start at the start of season two. We have new characters, new worlds, new adventures. It’s more dramatic this year. Still funny, but it’s just got real heart.”

UNIVERSAL APPEAL

“You will see a lot of unusual character pairings, which is rather lovely because you can really push the boat out with sci-fi in terms of interspecies friendships. I think Seth [MacFarlane] is spot on by taking issues of the day and running them through the sci-fi mill and creating thought-provoking storylines.”

ISAAC 2.0

“We’ve improved Isaac’s suit this year. I don’t think people are meant to notice it. It’s amazing how quickly it can deteriorate, which is ironic because he’s supposed to be indestructible. It is pretty funny when we’re filming and something just falls off me.”

POWER UP

“Where is Isaac’s charging station? That’s the joke, isn’t it? Someone one day is going to open a door to a little cupboard in a corridor and he’s just in there. Isaac does get a laboratory this year, and there’s a school featured this season.”

FLYING AHEAD

“I am shooting a short film in January about a drone pilot, which is a bit serious. I [recently] got married, so now I’m no longer planning a wedding I have more time!” TP

The Orville returns to Fox UK on 10 January, and also airs on Fox in the US.