The Simpsons has officially ended a nine-year silence for one of its most recognizable Springfield residents. In the Season 38 episode “Treehouse of Horror Presents: The Revengening,” which aired October 18, 2026, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon returned to a speaking role with a new voice actor at the helm.
Sunil Malhotra has taken over the role of the Kwik-E-Mart owner, marking the first time the character has spoken on the show since the October 2017 episode “The Serfsons.” The transition follows a long period of semi-retirement for the character after former voice actor Hank Azaria officially stepped down from the role in 2020.
The return was framed through a meta-commentary reveal that addressed the character’s long absence from the show’s dialogue. During the episode, Apu was shown disguised in a “Daft Monk” costume. Upon unmasking himself, he addressed the townspeople of Springfield directly, confronting them for “pretending [he] never existed” during the years he was sidelined.
The revival of the character extends to his immediate family as well. Janina Gavankar has joined the cast as the new voice of Apu’s wife, Manjula. The casting of Indian-American actors for both roles aligns with the production’s commitment to authentic representation following the public discourse surrounding the character’s previous portrayal.
Executive producer Matt Selman has indicated that this return is intended to be permanent rather than a one-off cameo. Selman stated that the character will be featured more frequently moving forward, allowing Apu to evolve within the modern landscape of the show.
This renewed focus on the Nahasapeemapetilon family also coincides with internal discussions regarding the show’s future beyond the small screen. The increased activity for the character has fueled reports that Apu and Manjula may play significant roles in a potential theatrical Simpsons movie sequel currently rumored for a 2027 release.
