The Simpsons Will 'Never' Have a Series Finale, Showrunner Says

The long-running animated series will simply air a regular episode if it ever ends, according to showrunner Matt Selman.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The Simpsons showrunner Matt Selman has stated that the iconic animated series will "never" air a finale episode, even if it eventually comes to an end. Selman said that rather than a big farewell sendoff, The Simpsons would simply air a regular episode if the show were to conclude, with perhaps a few small Easter eggs as nods to the series' history.

Why it matters

The Simpsons is one of the longest-running scripted television series of all time, having aired over 800 episodes since its debut in 1989. Selman's comments suggest the show's creators view it as existing outside of traditional narrative constraints, with the characters and status quo resetting each week rather than progressing in a linear fashion. This unique approach has allowed The Simpsons to endure for decades, and Selman's remarks indicate the show may continue indefinitely without a definitive ending.

The details

Selman noted that The Simpsons had recently parodied the idea of a big finale in its 36th season premiere, an episode titled "Bart's Birthday" that featured numerous returning guest stars and sent up the finales of other famous TV series. He emphasized that if the show ever did end, "there's no finale -- it would just be a regular episode that has the family in it. Probably a little Easter egg here and there, but no 'I'm going to miss this place'."

  • The Simpsons aired its 800th episode recently.
  • The show has been renewed through its 40th season, which means it will remain on the air at least through 2029.
  • A second Simpsons movie is set to debut on September 3, 2027.

The players

Matt Selman

The showrunner of The Simpsons, who has stated the series will "never" have a series finale.

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What they’re saying

“If the show ever did end, there's no finale -- it would just be a regular episode that has the family in it. Probably a little Easter egg here and there, but no 'I'm going to miss this place'.”

— Matt Selman, Showrunner, The Simpsons (The Wrap)

What’s next

A second Simpsons movie is set to debut on September 3, 2027, providing fans with another major installment of the long-running animated series.

The takeaway

The Simpsons' unique approach to storytelling, where the characters and status quo reset each week, has allowed the show to endure for over 30 years without the need for a traditional series finale. Showrunner Matt Selman's comments suggest the series may continue indefinitely, with the creators viewing it as existing outside the constraints of typical narrative arcs.