Harry Shearer to return to 'The Simpsons'

Have no fears, Harry Shearer is returning to The Simpsons for another four years.

Shearer, who plays several recurring characters including Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, and Montgomery Burns on the long-running animated sitcom, signed the same contract as the other primary cast members, keeping the show's cast intact for another four seasons, according to Entertainment Weekly. Shearer and the cast's deals are reportedly worth $300,000 per episode.

In May, Shearer, 71, had announced via Twitter that he would be departing The Simpsons after 26 seasons to pursue other projects.

Showrunner Al Jean stated that Shearer's characters would be recast the day after Shearer's announcement.

However, Jean also stated his hope that Shearer would return to the show in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

Shearer and the other primary members of The Simpsons cast have been with the show since its debut in 1989. Shearer is also known for his work on Saturday Night Live and for starring in Rob Reiner's rock mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap.