As Mr. Burns would say, excellent! Harry Shearer, who voices the nuclear power plant mogul, Ned Flanders, Smithers, and a host of other characters on The Simpsons, will be returning for the long-running animated comedy’s 27th and 28th seasons, Fox announced on Tuesday, July 7. The other principal voice actors — Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, and Hank Azaria — will also be back to voice the characters they’ve brought to life since the award-winning show debuted in 1989.
News of Shearer’s return comes as a big surprise. In May, the actor revealed on Twitter that he was leaving the show after 26 seasons and said that it was not about the money
from James L. Brooks’ lawyer: “show will go on, Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best.”. (1/2)
— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) May 14, 2015
This because I wanted what we’ve always had: the freedom to do other work. Of course, I wish him the very best. (2/2)
— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) May 14, 2015
Al Jean, the executive producer of the show, told Entertainment Weekly the day after the tweets that he was confused by the star’s reasoning because the other actors were able to do outside projects as well. “We’ve never kept him from doing that stuff,” Jean said.
According to a statement released by producers Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, and Jean after news of Shearer’s exit broke, the actor had received the same contract that the other cast members had signed. They also said at the time that rather than killing off his characters, their voices would be recast.
After the news of Shearer’s return was revealed, Jean shared his thoughts on Twitter, admitting that he perhaps misunderstood how much time the actor was supposed to have for his other pursuits.
I would like to clear up a misunderstanding. I have recently been told that during a period where Harry Shearer believed he had a (MORE)
— Al Jean (@AlJean) July 7, 2015
five week free period from the Simpsons, I was unaware of this fact, and did in fact request material from him. If so, my bad. I am (MORE)
— Al Jean (@AlJean) July 7, 2015
truly glad he is returning to the show.
— Al Jean (@AlJean) July 7, 2015
The Simpsons returns for Season 27 on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.
