Harry Shearer, voice of Burns and Flanders, leaves 'The Simpsons'

The voice of Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, Otto, Lenny, Smithers, Rev. Lovejoy and Kent Brockman in The Simpsons has called it quits after 26 seasons.

71-year-old Harry Shearer tweeted today that he is leaving the show for good so that he has more freedom to pursue other opportunities. The lawyer for executive producer James L. Brooks wrote that the “show will go on, Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best.”

The news comes less than two weeks after 20th Century Fox renewed the series for 27th and 28th seasons

According to CNN Money, Shearer turned down a contract worth $14 million to continue voicing his characters for another two seasons.

Shearer has been a regular cast member since the show first began in 1989 and has voiced approximately two dozen main and minor characters.

However, there are no plans to kill any of the characters with Shearer’s departure.

Show producer Al Jean tweeted that Shearer was offered the same deal as the five other main voice actors and confirmed there would be “no yellow wedding,” referring to gory Game of Thrones‘ “Red Wedding” episode where many of the characters died.

Ratings for the show have fallen from a high of nearly 27 million to an average low of just over 5 million during the 25th season. There are 573 episodes to date.

from James L. Brooks’ lawyer: “show will go on, Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best.”. (1/2)

— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) May 14, 2015

This because I wanted what we’ve always had: the freedom to do other work. Of course, I wish him the very best. (2/2)

— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) May 14, 2015

Thanks, Simpsons fans, for your support. — Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) May 14, 2015

.@thesimpsons #everysimpsonsever The show will go on, made by people who love it and see in it the most wonderful vehicle for satire ever. — Al Jean (@AlJean) May 14, 2015

@simpsonswiki @TheSimpsons recast if Harry does not return. No yellow wedding.

— Al Jean (@AlJean) May 14, 2015

@brianstelter His statements implied he rejected final offer to do other projects, which we always let him do. It’s confusing.

— Al Jean (@AlJean) May 14, 2015

Hey, we tried. We’re still trying. Harry, no kidding, let’s talk. — james l. brooks (@canyonjim) May 14, 2015