Mr Burns is back! Harry Shearer signs $13 million deal to return to The Simpsons after quitting earlier this year

By Shyam Dodge for MailOnline

Published: 13:34 EST, 7 July 2015 | Updated: 17:39 EST, 7 July 2015

Harry Shearer is now returning for the 27th and 28th seasons of The Simpsons, after quitting the animated series in May.

The 71-year-old, who plays Homer Simpson's 'okely dokeley' neighbor Ned Flanders and the evil billionaire Mr Burns, has signed back onto the show, the Fox network revealed on Tuesday.

The Emmy-winning actor announced his departure in May after 26 years on the hit show, which debuted with Shearer in 1989.

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Mr Burns is back! Harry Shearer is now returning for the 27th and 28th seasons of The Simpsons, after quitting the animated series in May

Mr Burns is back! Harry Shearer is now returning for the 27th and 28th seasons of The Simpsons, after quitting the animated series in May

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Shearer has signed on for two more seasons of the show with an estimated $300,000 pay out for each episode.

A typical season for The Simpsons runs 22 episodes, making the contract quite lucrative for the star.

The deal also provides the option for Shearer to sign on for two additional seasons, if the show runs for its 30th year.

Icon: The 71-year-old actor voices both Mr Burns and his faithful assistant Waylon Smithers

Icon: The 71-year-old actor voices both Mr Burns and his faithful assistant Waylon Smithers

The actor, who rose to prominence with Spinal Tap, joins five of the other original castmates for the upcoming seasons, Dan Castellaneta, Yeardley Smith, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, and Hank Azaria.

Shearer most notable provided voices for Principal Skinner, Kent Brockman, Mr. Burns, Waylon Smithers, Ned Flanders, and Reverend Lovejoy over 26 seasons. 

Back in May Shearer tweeted a message from James L. Brooks, an executive producer of the hit series, relayed by his lawyer.

Irreplaceable: He also voices Homer Simpson's 'okely dokeley' neighbor Ned Flanders

Irreplaceable: He also voices Homer Simpson's 'okely dokeley' neighbor Ned Flanders

'Show will go on, Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best,' Shearer quoted Brooks as saying, adding on his own behalf: 'This because I wanted what we've always had: the freedom to do other work.'

The hit series' showrunner, Al Jean, told the New York Times in an email at the time: 'Harry Shearer was offered the same deal the rest of the cast accepted, and passed. The show will go on and we wish him well.' 

Shearer has been a part of The Simpsons cast since its debut in 1989.

The Simpsons - which first aired in December 1989 - averages 7.7 million viewers on television and online in the United States. Millions more enjoy the show in foreign markets, according to US parent network Fox. 

 

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