(Nickelodeon)

While it’s not yet up on the press site, Nickelodeon has renewed its SpongeBob SquarePants TV show for a 12th season, ahead of the 11th season, which is coming this summer. The new season of this animated children’s comedy will premiere in 2019, in time for the show’s 20th anniversary.

The SpongeBob SquarePants voice cast stars Tom Kenny as SpongeBob; Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick Star; Roger Bumpass as Squidward; Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs; Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy Cheeks; and Mr. Lawrence as Plankton. Nickelodeon first previewed SpongeBob in May of 1999, and it officially premiered on July 17 of that year.

Deadline reports:

“What delightful news- Patrick lives!,” Fagerbakke said. “Working with such a talented cast, production team and brilliant and indefatigable creative staff all under such steady stewardship from Nickelodeon is such a gift. I feel so privileged to be part of a touchstone for an entire generation, as goofy as my part may be.”

Season 11 of SpongeBob SquarePants, which is executive produced by creator Stephen Hillenburg, premieres this summer. Those new episodes will feature such fan-favorite characters as the mischievous pencil-drawing Doodle Bob; SpongeBob’s friend and creation Bubble Buddy; the supervillain Man Ray; and Cave SpongeBob, who made his debut in Season 1.

What do you think? Are you still watching the SpongeBob SquarePants TV series? How long do you think it will run?