The Simpsons Will Never Have a Series Finale, Showrunner Says

The long-running animated comedy series has been renewed through Season 40 and has no plans for a sentimental final episode.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Simpsons showrunner Matt Selman revealed that the iconic animated series will never have a series finale, as the show's episodic nature is a key factor in its longevity. Selman said the writers and producers have tried to make each of the 800 episodes 'its own amazing little mini movie' rather than building towards a grand finale. The show recently aired its 800th episode and has been renewed through Season 40, ensuring the Simpson family will continue entertaining audiences for years to come.

Why it matters

The Simpsons is one of the longest-running scripted television series of all time, having debuted in 1987. The showrunner's comments about not planning a series finale highlight the show's commitment to maintaining its episodic format and avoiding major changes to the status quo, which has allowed it to stay on the air for over three decades.

The details

In a recent interview, showrunner Matt Selman said The Simpsons is 'never going to do a series finale,' explaining that the show did a 'parody of the series finale' in a previous episode instead. Selman noted that the characters on the show 'reset every week' and that if the show ever did end, 'it would just be a regular episode that has the family in it' rather than a sentimental farewell. The show's executive producer, Al Jean, also commented that the episodic nature of The Simpsons has been a key factor in its longevity, as 'you always return to square one at the end of the show.'

  • The Simpsons aired its 800th episode on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
  • The show has been renewed through Season 40.

The players

Matt Selman

The showrunner of The Simpsons who revealed the show will never have a series finale.

Al Jean

The executive producer and former showrunner of The Simpsons who commented on the show's episodic nature contributing to its longevity.

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What they’re saying

“We did an episode about a year and a half ago that was like a parody of the series finale. We jammed every possible series finale concept into one show, so that was sort of my way of saying we're never going to do a series finale.”

— Matt Selman, Showrunner (TheWrap)

“The show isn't supposed to change. The characters reset every week. It's like Groundhog Day, but they don't know it — and they don't die that much. 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 (TheWrap)

“We've done 800 episodes, and I'm really glad we didn't do a big overarching story. You always return to square one at the end of the show. And there's no question that was a big influence on the longevity.”

— Al Jean, Executive Producer and Former Showrunner (Associated Press)

The takeaway

The Simpsons' commitment to maintaining its episodic format and avoiding a definitive series finale has been a key factor in the show's remarkable longevity, allowing it to continue entertaining audiences for decades without the need for a grand, sentimental conclusion.