After nearly four decades of Springfield chaos, Bart Simpson’s voice actor Nancy Cartwright has offered fans a possible answer to the question they have asked for years: When will The Simpsons end?
Cartwright, who has voiced Bart since the character’s early days, suggested that the legendary animated sitcom could finish with Season 40. However, she stressed that the prediction reflects her own view and does not represent an official announcement from Fox or the show’s producers.
The comment has sparked fresh speculation about the future of one of television’s most enduring shows, especially because Fox has already renewed The Simpsons through its 40th season.
Nancy Cartwright Predicts The Simpsons Could End With Season 40
Cartwright discussed the show’s future during an appearance on Michael Rosenbaum’s Inside of You podcast.
When Rosenbaum asked how long she believed The Simpsons would remain on television, Cartwright gave a short answer:
“40 [seasons].”
When he pressed her about whether she was certain, Cartwright made it clear that she was giving her personal opinion.
“Yeah,” Cartwright said, before adding, “It’s my opinion.”
Her comments do not mean Fox has decided to cancel the series after Season 40. Instead, they offer Cartwright’s own expectation about how long the current run could last.
Fox Has Already Renewed The Simpsons Through Season 40
Cartwright’s prediction comes at an interesting point in the show’s history.
Fox renewed The Simpsons for four additional seasons in 2025, taking the series through Seasons 37, 38, 39 and 40. The deal means the show is currently guaranteed to reach its 40th season.
Season 40 is expected to air during the 2028-29 television cycle. That would give the series four decades of regular primetime television if it finishes its run there.
However, Fox has not announced that Season 40 will be the show’s final season.
Nancy Cartwright Is Not Ready to Say Goodbye Just Yet
Despite predicting a possible ending at Season 40, Cartwright also made clear that she would be willing to continue playing Bart if the show received another renewal.
Rosenbaum asked what she would do if the producers wanted to continue the series beyond Season 40.
“Are we still alive?”
After Rosenbaum confirmed that the cast members were still working, Cartwright replied, “Yeah, we’ll keep going then.”
When asked whether she would remain involved for as long as the show continued, she answered, “Absolutely.”
Her comments suggest that Cartwright does not see Season 40 as a firm personal deadline. If Fox, the producers and the main cast want to continue, she appears willing to stay.
The Simpsons Has Already Passed Several Major Milestones
The Simpsons has built an extraordinary television record since its official debut in 1989.
The show began as animated shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show before becoming its own series. It has since grown into one of the most recognisable television franchises in the world.
The series reached its 800th episode during Season 37 and continues to hold its position as the longest-running American scripted primetime series.
The show also surpassed Gunsmoke in 2009 to become the longest-running American scripted primetime series by number of seasons.
That history means any eventual ending would mark a major moment in television.
Why The Simpsons Continues to Find New Viewers
Despite its age, The Simpsons continues to attract younger audiences.
Showrunner Matt Selman has previously pointed to the show’s availability on Disney+ as one reason a new generation discovered the series.
The streaming platform has allowed younger viewers to explore thousands of episodes from the show’s long history rather than relying only on new broadcasts.
That has helped The Simpsons remain relevant even as its original audience has grown older.
Could The Simpsons Continue Beyond Season 40?
For now, the answer remains open.
Fox has confirmed Seasons 37 through 40, but Cartwright’s comments indicate that the cast could potentially continue if the network and producers decide to extend the series again.
The show’s history also makes an immediate ending difficult to predict. The Simpsons has repeatedly outlasted expectations, survived changes in television viewing habits and remained a major part of Fox’s programming.
Cartwright’s comments therefore offer a possible timeline rather than a confirmed finale.
Season 40 May Become a Major Turning Point
If The Simpsons does end with Season 40, the timing would be fitting.
The show would reach its 40th season after more than four decades connected to the characters of Springfield. It would also give the series a clear milestone around which producers could potentially build a final chapter.
But for now, fans should not treat Season 40 as a confirmed ending.
Cartwright has predicted that the show could stop there, while also saying she would continue if everyone involved wanted to keep working.
For a series that has repeatedly defied expectations, the final word on The Simpsons’ ending may still be a long way away.
