Just a few weeks after tweeting that he was leaving The Simpsons, Harry Shearer — the voice of Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Waylon Smithers and more — has agreed to rejoin Fox’s fan-favorite animated comedy.
The Most Iconic Voices of Harry Shearer
Shearer will continue to lend his voice on the long-running series through seasons 27 and 28 after negotiating a new deal with the studio/network.
Said it at the beginning, even truer at the end: thanks to Simpsons fans for your support; wouldn’t have happened w/out you!
— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) July 7, 2015
Simpsons executive producer Al Jean issued this statement on Twitter following the news, “I would like to clear up a misunderstanding. I have recently been told that during a period where Harry Shearer believed he had a 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 truly glad he is returning to the show.”
Back in May, after the public contract dispute, Shearer tweeted that he would not be returning to the series, writing, “This because I wanted what we’ve always had: the freedom to do other work.”
Simpsons executive producers Matt Groening, Jean and James L. Brooks all released a statement at the time confirming his departure, and adding that the actors’ roles would be recast.
“Harry Shearer was offered the same deal the rest of the cast accepted, and passed,” the trio stated. “The show will go on and we wish him well. Maggie took it hard.”
Shearer will now join the other five primary voice actors for the upcoming seasons, which include Dan Castellaneta, Yeardley Smith, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright and Hank Azaria. All have been in their roles since 1989.
The Simpsons recently renewed through 2017 and will return to Fox on September 27th.
