After three seasons with its titular spy in a coma, FXX's Archer is set to return later this month for Season 11, which will return the show to its roots, though with some big twists and changes.
Here's what we know so far about Archer Season 11.
The Story So Far
For the majority of its run, Archer has focused on Sterling Archer, a spy with International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS). One of his most important relationships was with Lana Kane, with whom he had an on-again, off-again relationship. The two eventually had a child, Abbiejean Kane-Archer. All of that changed in Season 7, though, when Sterling was shot by Hollywood starlet Veronica Deane and put into a coma.
While in his coma, Archer was transported into alternate reality versions of the his real life spy agency, with all the main cast playing variations on their "real world" counterparts. Season 8, Archer: Dreamland, made Sterling a detective investigating the murder of his partner, Woodhouse (whose voice actor, George Coe, had passed away in 2015). This was followed by Archer: Danger Island, where Sterling played an Indiana Jones-type character chasing the island's treasure; and Archer: 1999, which took the cast into space. During Season 10, Archer starting waking up, which gave him glimpses of the real world through hallucinations. When he finally came out of his coma, Archer discovered that he'd been down for three years, with his mother -- Malory Archer -- beside his side the entire time.
Plot
Archer Season 11 will re-introduce Sterling to the real world and explore how he reacts to the changes. According to EP Matt Thompson, "The personalities and situation of the office has changed." He goes on to say how the spy missions will return but the cast of the agency has changed in these three years. Archer himself is also weakened due to his three years in bed. The season will explore how lost Archer is now and how he feels that everyone has moved on from him, except for Pam, who invites him for a drink. Thompson also mentions how post-coma Archer has been affected mentally as well, to the point he is hindering the team in their ability to execute missions. While this is nothing new, as it is Archer's brand after all, three years without Sterling could go a long way towards transforming the agency into a well-oiled machine.
There is no indication to what happened to Abbiejean Kane-Archer but producers have confirmed that Lana is married in Season 11.
Release Date
Due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, FXX pushed the release back from its original date in May. Currently, Archer Season 11 will air its first two episodes, "The Orpheus Gambit" and "Bloodsploosh," on September 16. Following episodes will air weekly on Wednesdays at 10 PM ET.
Trailer
In the trailer from Comic Con, Archer is seen adjusting to all the new changes to the agency. Malory has instituted a no-drinking policy, much to Sterling's dismay, while Cyril Figgis is now buff, much to Sterling's surprise. Cheryl seems to be trying her hand at sobriety, which she eventually fails. Finally, to no one's surprise and Lana, remains strictly professional. Sterling, for his part, is outfitted with a James Bond-level cane with features including sleeping gas and a grappling hook.
Produced by Adam Reed, Matt Thompson and Casey Willis of Floyd County Productions, Archer features the voices of Reed, H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Jessica Walter, Judy Greer, Chris Parnell, Amber Nash and Lucky Yates. Season 11 premieres Sept. 16 on FXX, with new episodes arriving on Hulu the day after their initial airing.