After weeks of uncertainty about whether or not Harry Shearer would be returning to The Simpsons next season to voice such beloved characters as Mr. Burns, Smithers and Ned Flanders, the actor has signed on to return to the Fox animated series, Entertainment Weekly has confirmed.
The actor tweeted that he would not be returning to The Simpsons for its 27th season in May. He said his exit was out of a desire to have the freedom to pursue other projects.
Shearer has signed the same contract as the other five primary Simpsons voice actors — Dan Castellaneta, Yeardley Smith, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright and Hank Azaria — a two-year deal with the option to sign on for another two seasons. Fox renewed The Simpsons for a 27th and 28th season back in May, which will bring the total number of episodes in the series to 625.
Season 27 of The Simpsons premieres Sept. 27 on Fox.
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