The Simpsons Producer Confirms Marge's Death Only Speculative Future

The Season 36 finale of "The Simpsons," titled "Estranger Things," sparked significant fan outrage by depicting a future 35 years ahead where Marge Simpson has died, leading to Bart and Lisa becoming estranged and Homer living in a retirement home. Executive producer Matt Selman addressed the backlash, emphasizing that the show's future episodes are speculative fantasies without a fixed canon, and Marge's death is confined solely to that one imagined future. Selman reassured fans that Marge remains alive and central to the series, noting that such narrative shifts are part of the show's long-standing tradition of playful, non-canonical storytelling. The episode also included a humorous twist where Marge, watching from Heaven, reveals she married Beatles icon Ringo Starr. Selman criticized misleading media headlines that fueled the controversy, explaining they prioritize traffic despite knowing the death was not a permanent event. Overall, the producers affirm Marge Simpson will continue to be a vital character on the show, reinforcing its relevance after more than three decades on air.