The Simpsons to finally give Smithers a boyfriend – and he’s a billionaire

Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: Pexels

Move over Mr. Burns – The Simpsons’ resident gay character Waylon Smithers it to find love with a handsome fashion designer in an upcoming episode of the show.

Smithers and billionaire Michael de Graaf will meet on the long-running show’s Thanksgiving episode, airing 21 November.

The move comes after decades of Smithers being infatuated with his megalomanic boss – a crush thus far unrequited. 

“Will his new relationship destroy Springfield?”

As per Men’s Health, out gay actor Victor Garber will voice de Graaf in the episode.

He is quoted by the publication as saying: “I think it’s crucially important that these stories are acknowledged.

“I haven’t played a lot of gay characters, but every time I do it, it brings back certain feelings I had as a young actor where I couldn’t be gay.”

The synopsis for the episode reads: “Smithers finds true love with a famous fashion designer, but will his new relationship destroy Springfield?”

The episode’s title is Portrait Of A Lackey On Fire – a pun on the 2019 lesbian-themed movie, Portrait of the Lady On Fire.

Harry Shearer provides the voice of Smithers, as well as Mr. Burns. Smithers canonically came out of the closet in a 2016 episode.

Earlier this year, The Simpsons recast the voice actor for Springfield resident Julio, who was introduced in 2003 as Homer’s new gay roommate before becoming a recurring character.

Julio is now being voiced by gay Cuban-American actor Tony Rodriguez, who made his debut on the 28 March episode ‘Uncut Femmes’.

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