Homer And Marge's Separation On The Simpsons Season 27 Premiere Clarified

Several months ago, Executive Producer Al Jean shocked fans of The Simpsons when he revealed that Marge and Homer Simpson would legally separate in the Season 27 premiere. Some fans were so shocked by the news that they made the illogical leap of believing the couple was headed for divorce and that's when producers had to rush in and put out that fire. Now Al Jean is adding more clarity to the rough patch in Homer and Marge's relationship.

"I never said they were getting divorced. I never used that word. And the next thing I know, it's crazy headlines," Jean told Entertainment Weekly. "I wasn't trying to trick people … Cartoon characters can fall down cliffs or blow each other's heads off, but they cannot get divorced."

What causes the separation? Marge isn't happy with Homer's behavior over the years and seeks advice from a therapist who tells her, "It's never going to change."

However, many fans have pointed out that the two haven't always seen eye-to-eye over the past two-and-half decades, so what makes this marital strife different than the rest? Jean explained, "When you see the episode, you'll know why it's different, but I can't say until you see it. But they're not permanently divorced."

Girls star and creator Lena Dunham will have a significant role in the episode as well, as she plays Candice, a pharmacist that fills out Homer's prescription for narcolepsy drugs and becomes his new love interest because she finds him to be "sweet and vulnerable." Jeans describes her characters as "forward and funny and interested in people who have big bags of prescription drugs."

You can see a clip from the episode and a look at Dunham's character, below.

The Simpsons 27th season premieres on September 27.