The Simpsons executive producer Matt Selman has said that a recent episode of the long-running animated series that showcased the aftermath of a key character’s demise should not be considered canon — as the show actually has “no canon”.
Indeed, Selman stated that the events of The Simpsons’ Season 36 finale episode Estranger Things would likely never be referenced again.
Warning! Spoilers for The Simpsons’ Season 36 finale follow.
As noted by IGN earlier this week, The Simpsons fans were left stunned when recent flashforward episode Estranger Things took the unprecedented step of featuring the events that followed the death of a core family member: Marge Simpson.
The Simpsons has a loose, floating timeline and has aired numerous flashforward episodes over the years (some of which now contradict each other, as the show’s decades-long run has continued).
But the series does feature something of a consistent narrative. Past events are frequently mentioned (remember that time Homer went to space?), and the rare times a major character does die — such as Maude Flanders, and Edna Krabappel — these deaths are permanent.
Recent seasons have even featured two flashforward episodes that were connected, and none have delved as far into the future as Estranger Things, which sets itself 35 years later.
“Obviously since the The Simpsons’ future episodes are all speculative fantasies, they’re all different every time,” Selman told Variety, in response to the episode provoking headlines.
“Marge will probably never be dead ever again. The only place Marge is dead is in one future episode that aired six weeks ago.”
As IGN noted at the time, fans have been debating whether Estranger Things was canon. The series’ fan wiki, for example, currently includes a warning that the episode is likely non-canon, as it is set outside The Simpsons’ usual time setting. Perhaps fans will now need to reconsider whether this warning is even necessary, if the show’s own makers are stating that The Simpsons’ canon does not exist.
“There is no canon,” Selman concluded. “The Simpsons doesn’t even have canon!”
The Simpsons 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