Nancy Cartwright Predicts The Simpsons Could End After Its 40th Season

08 August 2026

After nearly four decades of yellow-skinned characters, Springfield chaos and some of television’s most recognizable catchphrases, “The Simpsons” may finally have a possible finish line, at least according to longtime star Nancy Cartwright.

Cartwright, who has voiced Bart Simpson since the character first appeared in 1987, recently shared her prediction about when the legendary animated comedy might come to an end. During an appearance on Michael Rosenbaum’s “Inside of You” podcast, the actress was asked how long she believed the series could remain on television. Her answer was surprisingly specific: 40 seasons.

When Rosenbaum questioned whether she genuinely believed the show would finish at that milestone, Cartwright confirmed that she did, while making clear that the prediction represented only her personal opinion. There has been no official announcement that “The Simpsons” will conclude after Season 40. The series recently completed its 37th season, meaning Cartwright’s prediction would still leave several more years of Springfield adventures ahead.

Even Cartwright does not appear determined to walk away once the show reaches that number. When asked whether she would continue if producers wanted to extend “The Simpsons” beyond Season 40, she enthusiastically indicated that she would remain involved as long as the cast and production were able to continue.

That willingness is significant considering how closely Cartwright has become associated with the series. Bart Simpson remains her most famous character, but she also provides the voices of several Springfield residents, including Nelson Muntz, Ralph Wiggum and Todd Flanders. For now, the future of the show appears secure.

Fox previously renewed “The Simpsons” for four additional seasons as part of a major commitment to its animated programming. The agreement also extended other established series including “Family Guy,” “Bob’s Burgers” and “American Dad.”

“The Simpsons” is also preparing for another major theatrical adventure. A second feature film is scheduled for release next year, arriving nearly two decades after “The Simpsons Movie” became a global box office success in 2007. Behind the scenes, there appears to be little urgency to bring the television series to an end.

Showrunner Matt Selman previously said he had never seriously reached a point where he believed cancellation was imminent. Instead, the show has continued finding new audiences even as longtime viewers who discovered the Simpson family decades ago have grown older. Streaming has played an important role in that longevity.

Following Disney’s acquisition of much of 21st Century Fox in 2019, the enormous “Simpsons” library became available through Disney+. Selman credited the platform with introducing the comedy to a younger generation that could easily explore decades of episodes without having watched the series during its original broadcasts.

The numbers illustrate just how unusual its run has become. “The Simpsons” has now produced more than 800 episodes and remains the longest-running scripted primetime television series in American history. It surpassed the previous record held by “Gunsmoke” years ago and has continued expanding its lead ever since.

Cartwright’s Season 40 prediction therefore feels less like an announcement and more like speculation about how an unprecedented television run might eventually conclude. Whether the Simpson family actually says goodbye after 40 seasons remains unknown. Cartwright herself seems perfectly willing to continue if Springfield keeps its doors open.

After surviving changing audiences, evolving television habits and generations of cultural trends, “The Simpsons” has already lasted far longer than anyone could reasonably have predicted when Bart first told viewers not to have a cow.