For years, fans of The Tick have debated one question: Is the Tick even real? Now, UK viewers can finally decide for themselves. Netflix is bringing both the 2001 cult classic and its 2016 reboot to the UK this July, offering a second chance for the superhero comedy that never quite got its due.
The original The Tick, starring Patrick Warburton as the absurdly blue-suited hero, first aired in 2001. It paired Warburton's deadpan delivery with David Burke as Arthur, the anxious accountant turned sidekick. The show earned a devoted following but was canceled after just one season. Fifteen years later, Prime Video rebooted the series with Peter Serafinowicz taking over the lead role, fresh off his appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy. Griffin Newman played Arthur, bringing a neurotic charm that resonated with fans. Yet again, the series was cut short after a single season.
Now, Netflix UK is giving both versions a new audience. The original series arrives on July 8, followed by the reboot on July 15. It's a rare opportunity to binge the entire saga of the Tick and Arthur, from the early 2000s to the modern revival. The streaming expansion is part of a broader slate of shows hitting Netflix UK, including long-running favorites like Bones and The Rookie.
The cast of both series boasts impressive credentials. Warburton is beloved for his roles on Seinfeld, as the voice of Buzz Lightyear in Star Command, and as Lemony Snicket in Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events. Serafinowicz, meanwhile, appeared on Parks and Recreation and in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Newman's podcast Blank Check has earned him a dedicated fanbase. All of them have mourned the early end of The Tick, but this Netflix expansion could reignite interest.
Could this lead to more of The Tick? It's a tantalizing possibility. Fans rallied behind the show both before and after its cancellation on Prime Video, and a wider audience might convince a streamer to take another shot. Maybe a third adaptation will finally be the charm. For now, UK viewers can experience the imaginary magic of the Tick and learn what it means to yell "SPOOOOOOOOOOOON!"
This isn't the only exciting news for streaming fans this summer. Netflix's most-watched English shows have included surprising hits and long-running favorites, and The Tick could join that list. Meanwhile, other genres are getting attention too—like near-perfect spy movies that deliver danger, style, and betrayal, or the upcoming Halo: Campaign Evolved release. But for superhero comedy lovers, July is all about the Tick.
So mark your calendars. On July 8, dive into the original The Tick with Patrick Warburton. Then, on July 15, catch the reboot with Peter Serafinowicz. It's a double dose of absurdity, heart, and the eternal question: Is the Tick real? You decide.
