The Simpsons renewed for 26th series

And John Oliver lands a role

The Simpsons – already the longest-running sitcom on TV – has been renewed for another season.

The Fox network confirmed the animated series would return for a 26th series next year.

The broadcaster’s chairman of entertainment, Kevin Reilly, said: ‘For more than a quarter of a century, The Simpsons has captured the hearts and minds of fans in a way that transcends ages, languages and cultures.

‘This groundbreaking series is not only the longest-running scripted show in television history, it's one of the greatest sitcoms of our time, and I'm looking forward to yet another landmark season.’

The Simpsons returned for its 25th season last Sunday, attracting 6.37 million total viewers in the States. And this week, the show broadcasts its annual Treehouse of Horror Halloween special, with opening titles by horror film director Guillermo del Toro, see below.

Meanwhile, John Oliver is to appear in an episode in series 25.

The British comic and Daily Show star is to play Wilkes John Booth, a neighbour of the Simpsons who Marge has never met, TVLine reports.

The website speculates that his character’s name, close to the assassin of Abraham Lincoln, could be a hint that he is linked to the killing off of a regular character, a plot twist recently announced by executive producer Al Jean.

Oliver recently signed on to reprise his role as Professor Duncan on the NBC sitcom Community.