Harry Shearer is returning to The Simpsons

Two months after announcing he'd be leaving the show.

Published 7th Jul 2015

Harry Shearer, voice of many Simpsons characters including Mr. Burns and Ned Flanders, will be back to record the 27th and 28th animated series.

The news comes after Harry himself announced in Mid-May that his long term contract with the show (Harry had been part of The Simpsons since it first aired in 1989) had been terminated. This followed reports that Harry had turned down a new deal for the show and had decided to walk away. In a tweet following the news of his departure, Harry had moved to clarify that it was due to the lack of freedom for cast members to be part of other shows that had caused him to walk away.

During this time 'The Simpsons' showrunner Al Jean told The New York Times, “Harry Shearer was offered the same deal the rest of the cast accepted and passed. The show will go on and we wish him well. Maggie took it hard. We do not have plans to kill off characters like Burns and Flanders but will recast with the finest voiceover talent available.”

On top of that, Simpsons co-creator, James L. Brooks, tweeted at Harry to plead that the negotiations continue "Hey, we tried. We're still trying. Harry, no kidding, let's talk."

The deal behind Fox's announcement today is yet to be clarified by any party, but Harry has taken to Twitter to respond to fans questions regarding the news.