The Simpsons has brought back Apu Nahasapeemapetilon with a new voice actor for the first time in nine years.
Fans of the iconic animated show haven't heard the long running character speak since October 2017 episode The Serfsons, but in Sunday's 18.10.26) episode The Revenging, Apu was back with a new performer behind the voice.
As reported by Variety, Grey's Anatomy and The Legend of Korra star Sunil Malhotra has been cast as the new Apu.
The voiceover veteran's hiring has been kept closely under wraps, while there was no hint Apu would speak again in the new episode.
Although the character has been seen over the years, he hasn't been heard in almost a decade.
The episode's table read and production was kept under lock and key, with everyone involved having to sign strict NDAs.
Sunil's version of Apu was joined by his wife Manjula, who is voiced by The Morning Show's Janina Gavankar.
Executive producer Matt Selman said: “We love this character, and wanted to bring him back in a smart, ‘Simpsons’-y way that allowed him to evolve.
“We’re excited by what Sunil has already brought to the role, and look forward to seeing more of Apu in the future.”
The character, who was previously voiced by Hank Azaria, sparked controversy over the years as people criticised its stereotypical portrayal of a South Asian store clerk.
In 2017, comedian Hari Kondabolu spoke about the widespread impact of the character in the documentary The Problem With Apu.
Hank stepped down from the role, and in 2021 he apologised for his part "in creating that and participating in that".
He added on Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert podcast: "Part of me feels like I need to go to every single Indian person in this country and personally apologize. And sometimes I do.”
Apu became an occasional background character with no voice, as the team behind The Simpsons tried to figure out the best way to make him out.
For Sunil, his stomach sank when he got the call for the audition, and he had his own concerns about taking on the role.
He explained: "When my agent called me about a ‘Simpsons’ audition, I knew exactly what role it was for, and the idea actually made my stomach sink.
“But admittedly, part of me was also curious. It had been eight years since Apu had spoken on the show, and it got me thinking: Did the writers’ room look different now? Could they bring him back in a way that acknowledged and apologized for past mistakes?
"Could I make the character my own, and reclaim him in some way? And could they achieve all of that in an unmistakably ‘Simpsons’ way that didn’t disappoint fans?"
Sunil actually turned down his first "professional job offer 28 years ago" because he would have been cast as a stereotypical "Hindu guy", and he has repeatedly snubbed "similar work" to avoid being a caricature.
For The Simpsons, he made sure it was a "deeply collaborative experience", and Sunil hopes his version of Apu can bring back "other South Asian kids who, like me, stopped watching at some point along the way".