Netflix's The Umbrella Academy may have wrapped its live-action run in 2024, but star Aidan Gallagher isn't ready to close the book on the Hargreeves siblings just yet. In a recent interview, the actor who played the time-hopping Five floated the idea of bringing the beloved series back as an animated show—a move he believes could unlock even more of the comic's wild, inventive spirit.
Gallagher shared his thoughts on the Delulu with Ryan Lu podcast, where he reflected on the show's legacy and its potential future. The Umbrella Academy, based on the comic by My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way and artist Gabriel Bá, ran for four seasons on Netflix and developed a fiercely loyal fanbase. The series followed seven siblings born on the same day in 1989, all adopted by the eccentric Sir Reginald Hargreeves and trained to save the world—often from apocalyptic threats triggered by their own dysfunction.
Gallagher's character, Number Five, was a fan favorite thanks to his sardonic wit, mastery of space-time manipulation, and the ironic twist of being a 58-year-old man trapped in a teenager's body. Alongside Gallagher, the cast included Robert Sheehan as Klaus, Emmy Raver-Lampman as Allison, Tom Hopper as Luther, David Castañeda as Diego, Justin H. Min as Ben, and Elliot Page as Victor.
“I think as an animated show, it would free up the show,” Gallagher said. “You'd be able to do comic book stuff that we couldn't do in a live-action show. You could be more creative. I think it would be an automatic yes from me if they decided to do an animated version. Also, if Gerard ends up doing anything else that isn't comic book related and he asks, it's an automatic yes.”
The idea of an animated reboot isn't just a pipe dream. The original comic's art style is already highly stylized, and an animated format could lean into that aesthetic while also allowing for more fantastical action sequences and visual gags that live-action budgets and physics limited. For a show that already embraced the bizarre—from talking chimpanzees to time-traveling assassins—going animated could feel like a natural evolution.
Netflix has been no stranger to animated adaptations of popular properties, and the streaming giant's 2026 slate includes several high-profile projects that blur the line between live-action and animation. If The Umbrella Academy were to join that roster, it could attract both die-hard fans and newcomers curious about a fresh take on the Hargreeves saga.
The show's finale was divisive among fans, with some feeling the conclusion didn't fully satisfy the emotional and narrative arcs built over four seasons. A reboot—especially an animated one—could offer a chance to revisit the world with a clean slate, or even explore alternate timelines and untold stories from the comics. Gallagher's enthusiasm suggests the cast's love for the project remains strong, even after the series ended.
For now, The Umbrella Academy remains available to stream in its entirety on Netflix. Whether an animated revival ever materializes is uncertain, but Gallagher's pitch has certainly sparked conversation among fans who aren't ready to say goodbye to the dysfunctional super-siblings. As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, forgotten Netflix mysteries and beloved series alike are finding new life—and The Umbrella Academy could be next.
