Harry Shearer isn’t going anywhere after all: The longterm “Simpsons” voice talent has inked a new deal with the Fox animated comedy, Fox said on Tuesday.
The deal is the same one as the rest of his fellow voice cast previously signed: a two-year agreement with an option for another two seasons.
The voice behind Mr. Burns, among many others, claimed he was walking away from the show in May. At the time, Shearer had supposedly passed on the same deal, and the roles slated to be recast.
Shearer had previously claimed that the dispute wasn’t over money. But executive producer Al Jean countered that they always let Shearer have “freedom” for other projects — which was the actor’s provided reason for not re-upping.
Shearer rejoins fellow main cast members Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria. The cast have all won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance at some point in the show’s run, which, with the recent two-season pick-up, will extend to an astounding 625 episodes and counting.
“The Simpsons” is the longest-running scripted show in television history. It is currently in production on its record-setting 27th season.
“The Simpsons” is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening and Al Jean are the executive producers. The Gracie Films Worldwide Brand Division develops and produces the licensed content for the series. Film Roman, a Starz company, is the animation house.