‘The Simpsons’ Apu Returns After 9 Years With New Voice Actor

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After almost a 9-year absence, classic Simpsons character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon returned to Springfield on Sunday’s (October 18) Treehouse of Horror special, and he’ll be sticking around for future episodes.

The beloved Kwik-E-Mart owner first appeared in the show’s debut season and was voiced by Hank Azaria, the man behind other fan favorites like Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy, Professor Frink, and more. Azaria retired Apu in 2017 following controversy over his choice to use an Indian accent to portray the character.

While debate over Azaria’s accent had long simmered, the issue came into the spotlight with Hari Kondabolu’s documentary The Problem With Apu in 2017. The film highlighted both the positive and negative impact of Apu and how the character fed into stereotypes of South Asians in America.

Apu’s new voice has been revealed.

It is the first time the character has spoke in almost a decade. https://t.co/HjzHVjaM0S

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 19, 2026

Azaria confirmed he’d retired Apu in 2020, telling the New York Times, “Once I realized that that was the way this character was thought of, I just didn’t want to participate in it anymore. It just didn’t feel right. What happened with this character is a window into an important issue. It’s a good way to start the conversation. I can be accountable and try to make up for it as best I can.”

But now Apu is back with a new voice actor at the helm. The character made his surprising return in Sunday’s Halloween special, titled “The Revengening,” which saw him wreaking havoc on Springfield after multiple characters tried to cover up his death.

Apu is officially back!!!! https://t.co/25FBva9J9i

— Out of Context Simpsons Treehouse of Horror 🎃 (@OOCCouchGags) October 19, 2026

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Indian-American actor Sunil Malhotra is the new voice of Apu, who will remain a fixture on the show going forward. Malhotra has appeared in shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, House, and Cold Case, but is best known for his voice work in video games and animated series.

He’s voiced characters in The Legend of Korra, The Legend of Vox Machina, Monster High, Blaze and the Monster Machines, and the video games Mortal Kombat: Onslaught, Mortal Kombat 1, Avatar: The Last Airbender – Quest for Balance, and The Outer Worlds 2.

“We love this character, and wanted to bring him back in a smart, Simpsons-y way that allowed him to evolve,” Simpsons producer Matt Selman told Variety. “We’re excited by what Sunil has already brought to the role, and look forward to seeing more of Apu in the future.”