Harry Shearer Signs ‘The Simpsons’ Contract After Announcing Exit In May

Fans of “The Simpsons” don’t need to worry about the Fox animated sitcom recasting Ned Flanders, Mr. Burns or Seymour Skinner. Voice actor Harry Shearer has reportedly signed on for four more seasons.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Shearer signed the same contracts as his fellow voice actors. He’ll be rejoining Dan Castellaneta, Yeardley Smith, Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright and Hank Azaria.

Shearer took to Twitter in May to announce that he would not be returning to “The Simpsons.” At the time the cast member claimed that the new contracts would not allow him the “freedom to do other work.” He was the lone holdout in the new deal, which would hold the actors to two more seasons, four if the network picks up Seasons 29 and 30.

Although Shearer claimed that he wasn’t returning, there were rumors that the producers were still trying to work out a deal with him. However, in early June executive producers Al Jean and James L. Brooks revealed to ATX Television Festival goers that there was no change in negotiations.

“It’s same as it was,” Jean told the audience at “The Evolution & History of ‘The Simpsons’ panel. “It’s in limbo. We hope he returns. Either way the show is continuing; the characters will stay. I think it will be tied in with the Iran deal that the U.S. is negotiating. It’ll be one big package.”

Harry Shearer has yet to respond to the news of his return on Twitter, however the official "Simpsons" account posted a tweet confirming his return:

Season 27 of "The Simpsons premieres on Fox this fall.