Harry Shearer Officially Returning to ‘The Simpsons’ For Season 27

Most excellent news, Simpsons fans. Fan-diddily-an favorite Harry Shearer will not be leaving the series behind after all, and has officially signed a contract to keep his iconic voices in place when Season 27 airs this fall.

Originally breaking news of his abdication in May, Shearer spoke candidly about wanting the freedom to pursue work outside of The Simpsons, something executive producer Al Jean contested that both Shearer and his fellow castmates already had. According to Entertainment Weekly, production had officially commenced on Season 27 without Shearer, though Simpsons fans will only endure a small absence of such characters as Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, Kent Brockman, Reverend Lovejoy and more. Production also already had its first seven episodes in the can prior to Shearer’s exit.

Deals for the cast members reportedly run for four seasons (including options for Seasons 29 and 30), and are estimated at upwards of $300,000 per episode. Shearer finally signed the same contract as the other Simpsons castmates, something Jean had been adamant about, marking it unclear exactly what changed Shearer’s mind.

Elsewhere, know of The Simpsons Season 27 (with 28 already confirmed) that Ghostbusters and SNL star Kate McKinnon will lend her voice as a homeless woman Lisa befriends, while Lena Dunham’s Girls castmates will join her for the premiere, in which nobody gets divorced. Another episode will parody Boyhood through Bart’s upbringing, while the “Treehouse of Horror” special will finally allow Sideshow Bob (Kelsey Grammer) to achieve his life’s purpose of killing the boy.

Just in time for Comic-Con 2015, it’s back to business for The Simpsons. You know, until someone really says goodbye. For real. Help me, I’m panicking already.

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