Springfield Is Saved As Harry Shearer Confirms Return To The Simpsons

Mr Burns is going nowhere.

Just two months after we were lead to believe Harry Shearer, long-running voice actor on the infamous animated TV show The Simpsons was set to make his exit, fans can breathe a sigh of relief with news that Shearer is going nowhere.

As Entertainment Weekly reports, the 71-year-old actor signed the same contract as his fellow primary characters today to ensure he returns for two more years in what will be the show's 27th and 28th seasons — including FOX network's option for two more seasons after that.

The contract, also signed by Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Yeardley Smith, Nancy Cartwright and Hank Azaria are estimated to be around $300,000 per episode and ensures the original cast's commitment to the show which first hit TV screens in 1989.

Many fans feared for the worst upon hearing news that Shearer would not be returning in May, due to the large amount of popular characters that he voices on the show; Mr Burns, Waylon Smithers, Ned Flanders and Principal Skinner to name a few and it was assumed these characters would not return.

However, executive producer of The Simpsons, Al Jean, took to Twitter just hours ago to address the issue — see the full tweets below.

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