Nancy Cartwright, who has voiced Bart Simpson since 1987, has said she believes The Simpsons may finish after its 40th season. Her comments matter because the programme is the longest-running animated television series in the United States, although she stressed that this was her personal opinion rather than an official announcement.

The show has been renewed through season 40, which is expected to conclude in spring 2029; season 38 begins in late September. Cartwright said she would continue if the series were renewed again, while a second Simpsons film is scheduled for release on 23 July 2027. The characters first appeared on The Tracey Ullman Show before The Simpsons debuted as a standalone series in 1989.