The latest episode of The Simpsons, the series’ Season 36 finale, has shocked fans by showcasing the events that follow the death of a key cast member — and a core member of the main Simpsons family.

Warning! Spoilers for the latest episode of The Simpsons follow.

In an episode set partially in the future, Bart and Lisa are seen coming to terms with the death of Marge — who is shown hanging out in heaven with Ringo Starr (who, to be clear, is still alive at present).

Over the course of The Simpsons’ many years on screen, the show has rarely killed off characters, making the events of its 36th season finale Estranger Things all the more shocking.

And while Marge’s death is still set in the future of The Simpsons’ regular timeline, this is the first instance of one of the show’s various flashforwards focusing on a time when a core family member is no longer alive.

Estranger Things shows Bart and Lisa opening a letter written by Marge, to be read in case of her death. The note asks the siblings to stick together, and look after Homer (who now lives in a retirement home). While set in the future, this isn’t meant to be a fake-out. Marge really has died, leaving the family without its iconic blue-haired matriarch.

The Simpsons features a dubious timeline, not helped by the fact that its core cast of characters have not aged throughout the show’s 35-year history. But there is at least some internal consistency, for example in relation to the few other characters that have died over the years, such as Maude Flanders and Edna Krabappel, and other major plot points such as the divorce of Milhouse’s parents.

Fans have debated whether previous flashforward episodes should be treated as canon — particularly as their various takes on the future have clashed with one another.

In Season 11 episode Bart to the Future, for instance, Lisa is seen becoming president (taking over from — in a weirdly prescient twist of fate — Donald Trump). These events do not seem to take place in the future seen within Season 23 episode Holidays of Future Passed, where a series of Simpsons family Christmas photos for the show’s following 30 years depict Lisa married to Milhouse (and an aged Marge and Homer still present).

Whether this latest look into The Simpsons’ future is canon or not, fans expect Marge to be back alive in the present for the show’s 38th season — and indeed in the two seasons thereafter. The long-running animation has currently been renewed until its 40 season, set to debut in 2028-2029.

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social