Québécois Dubbing of ‘The Simpsons’ Returning After Fan Complaints

The Québécois French version of “The Simpsons” is set to return after fan complaints prompted Bell Media and Disney Entertainment to reach a broadcasting deal.

Fans expressed disappointment last year when Corus Entertainment, a competitor of Bell, decided not to renew the broadcasting rights. The move meant that francophone fans who wanted to continue watching had to view new seasons in European French.

An online petition successfully collected thousands of signatures to reinstate the Québécois dubbing, which has incorporated local place names, politicians, current events, and popular expressions over the course of the show’s 35 seasons.

Noovo, the Canadian French-language terrestrial television network owned by Bell Media, said in a social media post that the Quebec version of “The Simpsons” would return.

“Good news! The Simpsons continue their adventure with a 100 percent Quebec dubbing, brought by our local talents,” Noovo said.

A clip featuring Simpsons characters Bart and Lisa Simpson also delivered the news in their distinctive Québécois accents.

“Can you imagine that, thanks to you, the Quebec version is making a big comeback?” Bart said.

The video ends with Bart and Lisa saying in unison, “Long live The Simpsons, long live Quebec dubbing.”

The show won’t be exactly the same as viewers remember it, however.

The cast of the Quebec version will undergo changes following the recent death of one of its voice actors.

Benoît Rousseau, who lent his voice to several recurring characters in the Québécois French dubbing of the series, such as Grampa Simpson, Mr. Burns, and Lenny Leonard, died at the age of 66 last month following a battle with cancer. His replacement has yet to be announced.

Béatrice Picard, the voice of Marge Simpson in Quebec until 2023, died last December at the age of 95. She was replaced by Chantal Baril, who also provides the voice for Milhouse Van Houten.

Thiéry Dubé will continue as the voice of Homer Simpson, while Johanne Léveillé will provide the voice for Bart Simpson, and Lisette Dufour will lend her voice to Lisa Simpson.

Other regular voice contributors are Bernard Fortin as Ned Flanders, Gilbert Lachance as Krusty le clown and Professeur Frink, and Hugolin Chevrette as Nelson Muntz.

The seasons in Quebec are a year behind those in the United States, which began its 37th season in September. Seasons one through 35 in Québécois French are available to stream on Disney+.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.