The Simpsons casts new Apu voice actor as the character speaks for the first time in nine years after criticism over stereotypical and racist portrayal

Published: 07:25 EDT, 19 October 2026 | Updated: 07:37 EDT, 19 October 2026 The Simpsons has brought back Apu Nahasapeemapetilon with a new voice actor as the character spoke on the show for the first time in nine years.The character has not been heard following backlash over racial stereotyping and the lack of authentic South Asian representation in Hollywood, because he was played by white American actor, Hank Azaria.Condemnation against Apu, the Indian immigrant who runs the Kwik-E-Mart in The Simpsons, caused Hank to step down after listening to criticism about his portrayal.Fans of the iconic animated show haven't heard the long running character speak since the October 2017 episode The Serfsons, but in Sunday's episode The Revenging, Apu was back with a new performer behind the voice.Sunil Malhotra, who has appeared in Grey's Anatomy and The Legend of Korra, 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. The Simpsons has brought back Apu Nahasapeemapetilon with a new voice actor as the character spoke on the show for the first time in nine yearsAlthough 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 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.' Sunil Malhotra, who has appeared in Grey's Anatomy and The Legend of Korra, has been cast as the new Apu Apu was originally played by white American actor Hank AzariaApu became an occasional background character with no dialogue as the team behind The Simpsons considered how best to portray him. 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'.