Bell Media deal allows Québécois dubbing of ‘The Simpsons’ to continue

MONTREAL — For Thiéry Dubé, who voices Homer Simpson in the Québécois version of the animated television series “The Simpsons,” news this week that Bell Media reached a deal with Disney Entertainment to save the local adaptation came with celebration and grief.

Dubé gave an interview to The Canadian Press on Monday, hours before the funeral for Benoît Rousseau, who had voiced several recurring characters in the Québécois French dubbing of the show, including Grampa Simpson, Mr. Burns and Lenny Leonard.

“It’s a difficult day because we’re saying goodbye to our friend Benoît,” Dubé said. “But at the same time, we’ve received this fabulous news — it shows that life goes on.”

On Monday morning, Bell Media announced it had reached an agreement with Disney for the rights to air and dub “Les Simpson,” ending months of uncertainty surrounding the future of the long-running adaptation. Season 36 of the show will air in the fall on Bell’s Noovo television channel and stream on Crave.

Fans were outraged last year when Bell competitor Corus Entertainment decided not to renew its broadcast rights, leaving francophone viewers no choice but to watch new seasons in European French. An online petition had garnered thousands of signatures to save the Québécois dubbing, which for 35 seasons had featured local place names and slang, politicians, current events and popular expressions.

Dubé said Rousseau, who died last week, and the dubbing team helped transform “Les Simpson” into more than a direct translation of the American series — it became a fixture of Quebec popular culture.

The popularity of the Quebec adaptation, Dubé said, speaks to the importance of local culture and its expression. “You can’t be universal without being deeply local first,” he said, arguing that audiences connect most strongly with stories that reflect their own experiences and identity.

Dubé said that connection explains why many Quebec viewers struggled with the idea of switching to the European French version.

“It’s not that the French version from France isn’t good,” he said. “It’s excellent, but it reflects another reality.”

In a clip uploaded by Noovo to social media, Bart and Lisa Simpson share the good news — in their familiar Québécois accents. ”Can you imagine that, thanks to you, the Quebec version is making a big comeback?” Bart said.

The clip ends with Bart and Lisa declaring, “Long live The Simpsons, long live Quebec dubbing.”

Dubé, for his part — and in his Homer voice — said, ”We’re so excited that The Simpsons are coming back. I hope that Marge, Bart, and … even annoying Lisa, and even that darn Flanders will be with us, long live the Quebec dubbing.”

The Québécois seasons are one year behind the American version, which began its 37th season in September.

Seasons 1 to 35 in Québécois are available to stream on Disney Plus.

The Quebec cast also endured another loss in recent months. Béatrice Picard, the Quebec voice of Marge Simpson, died in December.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 11, 2026.

Charlotte Glorieux, The Canadian Press