PBS Kids Series ‘Arthur’ Comes to an End After 25 Seasons

After a long 25 years, PBS Kids classic Arthur is coming to an end, giving fans a glimpse into the adult lives of the main characters. 

Arthur premiered in October 1996 and was home to all kids worldwide, teaching viewers about different cultures. Though reruns will be available through PBS Kids, the final four brand new episodes aired Monday. The show is the longest-running animated kids’ show, winning four Daytime Emmys for outstanding children’s animated program.

Although it may be shocking to some, in a podcast over the past summer, screenwriter Kathy Waugh announced the show’s ending. 

“Arthur is no longer in production. We had our wrap party two years ago. I think [PBS] made a mistake, and I think Arthur should come back, and I know I’m not alone in thinking they made a mistake.” However, she pointed out that she thought the show would be ongoing. 

“I don’t know if it was a rating issue or if it felt like it needed to be retired. To me, it felt evergreen, like it was never going to end, but it did end.” Waugh’s creativity with the show comes from the popular books by Marc Brown.

Executive producer Carol Greenwald released a statement, “Arthur is the longest-running kids animated series in history and is known for teaching kindness, empathy and inclusion through many groundbreaking moments to generations of viewers.” 

Here’s to a final goodbye to Arthur, a show that captivated many children’s lives.

See some fan reactions below:

So they flash forward 20 years…and were 8 in the original series…meaning they’re now 28 aka the same age as me. Brb sobbing 😭💛 #Arthur25 https://t.co/zq9N9W5nI3

— Ashlyn (@ashlyn_xo) February 21, 2022

https://twitter.com/lunarmermaid/status/1495890027582271500?s=20&t=ySUypDynG7aZpUsyDs5Rag

https://twitter.com/amurkymuc/status/1495880570177474574?s=20&t=ySUypDynG7aZpUsyDs5Rag

Did I, a 30 year old grown adult just sit down and watch the series finale of @ArthurPBS and shed a tear, grieving the official end of my childhood? You bet your lucky pencil I did. #Arthur25 pic.twitter.com/wwIYM447ii

— Shayna S-W (@shaynasw) February 21, 2022

hi sorry i'm emotionally overwhelmed rn, they just aired the series finale of Arthur and they time skipped 20 years, but the biggest surprise is they brought back the original voice from season 1-5 (Michael Yarmush) to play his adult self and I recognized it 😭♥️ #Arthur25 pic.twitter.com/IvAOxiYD51

— Shaybs 🪄 (@CaribouCoon) February 21, 2022

https://twitter.com/Always_Astiney/status/1495882765321097225?s=20&t=ySUypDynG7aZpUsyDs5Rag

Thank you Arthur for making my childhood so fun. Always love tuning to arthur after school. Such a great cast of characters. Still have my arthur plushie when I was a kid. So many fond memories. #Arthur25 pic.twitter.com/8H9Vv2XF2t

— Junior (@JUNIOR_0610) February 21, 2022