Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson, recently suggested that The Simpsons could reach its conclusion by 2029. While the series is currently slated to continue through its 40th season, showrunner Matt Selman has already shared his vision for how the legendary animation might eventually end.
Nancy Cartwright’s 2029 prediction and the Season 40 milestone
The conversation regarding the end of the longest-running scripted primetime show in television history was ignited by Nancy Cartwright during an appearance on Michael Rosenbaum's podcast, Inside of You. Cartwright posited that the show might wrap up in 2029, coinciding with the completion of 40 seasons. This timeline would mark a significant milestone for a franchise that has been a staple of American culture since its 1989 debut.
This potential exit comes at a time when the show remains a cornerstone of the broadcasting landscape. While the 40-season mark offers a clean mathematical conclusion, it remains a personal opinion from Cartwright rather than an official directive from Fox or the show's producers. For fans, the idea of a 2029 end date serves as a reminder of the show's incredible longevity and the inevitable cycle of long-running media.
Matt Selman’s "Groundhog Day" approach to a series end
Showrunner Matt Selman has expressed a desire to avoid the dramatic, tear-jerking finales typical of other long-running series. According to a report from The Wrap in February, Selman indicated that if he is still at the helm when the end arrives, he would opt for a standard episode rather than a special event.. Instead of a life-altering conclusion, Selman envisions a regular episode filled with subtle Easter eggs, maintaining the status quo that has defined the show for decades.
The concept of a "reset" is central to how Selman views the longevity of the Springfield residents. He has compared the show's structure to Groundhog Day, noting that the characters exist in a loop where they rarely face permanent changes or death. This philosophy was explored in the 2024 episode "Bart's Birthday," which served as a parody of the very type of series finale the producers intend to avoid. By keeping the characters in their established roles, Selman aims to preserve the show's core identity rather than forcing a sentimental goodbye.
The 2027 movie and the Disney+ expansion dilemma
The Simpsons franchise appears to be in a phase of aggressive expansion rather than contraction, which complicates any talk of a 2029 finale.. a new feature film is currently slated for a 2027 debut, and the brand is increasingly moving into the gaming sector and other digital avenues. As reported by the source, the franchise has also been a vital component of Disney+'s early success and continues to serve as a testing ground for Fox's streaming-exclusive episode models.
This commercial momentum suggests that the brand is being positioned for long-term multi-platform use. The transition from traditional broadcast to streaming-heavy models means the characters have more utility than ever before, making a hard stop in 2029 seem unlikely from a business perspective.
The gap between Cartwright's guess and Fox's business model
Several questions remain regarding the actual likelihood of a 2029 departure. While Cartwright suggested she would happily renew her contract as long as the cast remains healthy, it is unclear if Fox or Disney would ever allow such a massive revenue generator to truly end. Furthermore, it remains unverified whether Cartwright's prediction is based on any internal production shifts or is simply an educated guess based on the current renewal through Season 40. Finally, the tension between Selman's desire for a "normal" ending and the massive hype of a 2027 movie leaves fans wondering if the show will ever truly find a way to say goodbye.
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