“The Simpsons” cast has signed a four-year deal that solidifies the animated hit’s 20th season, reports Variety.
Production on the show has been delayed for several months as voice actors and 20th Century Fox TV hammered out a deal. The new pact bumps the stars’ salaries up to about $400,000 an episode; the actors previously made somewhere in the mid-$300,000 range.
The deal means most of the key “Simpsons” cast members — Dan Castellaneta (Homer), Julie Kavner (Marge), Nancy Cartwright (Bart), Yeardley Smith (Lisa), Hank Azaria (Moe) and Harry Shearer (Mr. Burns) — will be back to work and attending the show’s first table read of the season this morning.
As part of his deal, Castellaneta has been named consulting producer on the series. He’ll now serve as a writer in addition to continuing as a voice performer.
Although the voice actors are now locked through the next four years, it doesn’t necessarily mean “The Simpsons” will be back beyond season 20. Gracie Films’ deal with 20th expires at the end of this season, and Fox hasn’t renewed the show beyond this upcoming year.
