The Simpsons Recasts Apu for Season 38 Episode
Sunil Malhotra debuts as the voice of Apu in a special one-story Treehouse of Horror episode.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Television
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The long-running series The Simpsons has officially introduced Sunil Malhotra as the new voice of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon. This return occurs within a special episode of Season 38 that breaks from the show's traditional anthology format.
Why it matters
Producers recast the role to move away from the character's status as a South Asian stereotype. The structural change to the episode format was specifically designed to provide expanded screen time for the character's return.
Apu was vocally absent from the show for 9 years following Hank Azaria's departure in 2017. This milestone comes as the show marks 36 years since its first Halloween installment.
The players
Sunil Malhotra
He is the actor who has been cast as the new voice of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon on The Simpsons.
Hank Azaria
He is the longtime voice actor who originally portrayed Apu Nahasapeemapetilon from 1990 until 2017.
The details
The episode titled Treehouse of Horrors Presents: The Revengening utilizes a mysterious Halloween partygoer to facilitate Apu's return to Springfield. Unlike typical installments that feature three distinct stories, this episode focuses on a single, continuous narrative.
Timeline
1989: The Simpsons began airing on Fox.
October 25, 1990: The first Treehouse of Horror episode aired.
2017: Hank Azaria stepped away from the role of Apu.
October 2026: The Revengening episode aired.
2027: The Simpsons Movie 2 is scheduled for release.
Industry Dynamics
This recasting reflects a broader industry shift as long-running legacy franchises adjust classic characters to align with contemporary social standards. By altering the traditional three-story anthology format, the show highlights how producers are leveraging new formats to reshape established intellectual property.
Viewers can watch this latest installment as part of the current Season 38 broadcast schedule. The move to a single-story format changes the standard viewing experience for those accustomed to the traditional three-part anthology structure.
The takeaway
The return of Apu demonstrates how long-running animated series are choosing to refine rather than erase legacy characters. Audiences should expect continued structural experimentation as the show approaches its upcoming feature film release in 2027.
What happens next
The Simpsons Movie 2 is officially confirmed for a theatrical release in 2027.
Further reading
For more on evolving TV formats, explore the Television section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Movieweb.
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