How The Simpsons Wrote Edna Krabappel Out

The Simpsons has seen many characters come and go, but one of the biggest losses was that of Edna Krabappel after her voice actress, Marcia Wallace, passed away – here’s how the show handled it. Created by Matt Groening, The Simpsons began as a series of animated shorts as part of The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987. After three seasons, it was developed into a half-hour prime time show, and has been unstoppable ever since. The Simpsons is currently in its 31st season, with a 32nd one already confirmed, keeping its place as the longest-running American scripted primetime television series.

The Simpsons follows the daily lives of the title family and many of the colorful citizens of Springfield. In 30 years of Simpsons history, viewers have got to meet many of the characters quite well, such as their peculiar neighbor Ned Flanders, Bart’s eternal enemy Sideshow Bob, and even the teachers at Springfield Elementary School, most notably Principal Skinner and Edna Krabappel. The latter was Bart’s teacher, with whom she had a difficult relationship, but as years passed, the series showed a different side to her that had nothing to do with her job as teacher.

The most recurring theme in Edna Krabappel’s arc was her love life (or lack of), her most notable relationships being those with Seymour Skinner and Ned Flanders. Edna and Ned were revealed to be married in season 23’s episode “Ned ‘N Edna’s Blend”, but viewers didn’t get to see much of their life together as Edna was written out in season 25.

The Simpsons’ Edna Krabappel Was Killed Off – But It Was Never Shown

When Marcia Wallace passed away in October 2013, showrunner Al Jean said that the character of Edna Krabappel would be retired, but didn’t share any details as to how. Edna’s final speaking role was in the epilogue of season 25’s 13th episode “The Man Who Grew Too Much”, though her death was first acknowledged in season 25’s third episode “Four Regrettings and a Funeral”, with a sad Bart writing “We’ll really miss you Mrs. K” one time on the chalkboard during the opening sequence. But how was her death handled within the series?

After many ups and downs in her life, Edna finally found some stability next to Ned Flanders. The two began dating in season 22’s episode “The Ned-Liest Catch”, and their fate was left to a fan vote, with the result being revealed during season 23’s opener, “The Falcon and the D’ohman”. Edna and Ned got married in secret, and stayed together until her death. In “The Man Who Grew Too Much”, Ned is shown remembering dancing with Edna, and then looks at a picture of her next to one of Maude, saying that he misses her laugh. Ned is also wearing a black armband, confirming Edna passed away, though it wasn’t shown how.

It’s mentioned in season 23’s episode “Holidays of Future Passed” that Edna’s death was Homer’s fault, as was Maude’s, but given that episodes set in the future are usually non-canon, a proper cause of death has not been determined nor revealed. The Simpsons handled Edna’s departure with respect, with her final (canon) appearance being a happy memory of Ned’s, and it’s good that it was never revealed how she died. As mentioned above, The Simpsons has seen many characters leave for different reasons, but this one was a big shakeup not only for the characters within the series and the writers behind it all, but also for fans.

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Adrienne Tyler
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Adrienne Tyler is a features writer for Screen Rant. She is an Audiovisual Communication graduate who wanted to be a filmmaker, but life had other plans (and it turned out great). Prior to Screen Rant, she wrote for Pop Wrapped, 4 Your Excitement (4YE), and D20Crit, where she was also a regular guest at Netfreaks podcast. She was also a contributor for FanSided’s BamSmackPow and 1428 Elm. Adrienne is very into films and she enjoys a bit of everything: from superhero films to heartbreaking dramas, to low-budget horror films. Every time she manages to commit to a TV show without getting bored, an angel gets its wings.

When she’s not writing, you can find her trying to learn a new language, watching hockey (go Avs!), or wondering what life would have been like had Pushing Daisies, Firefly, and Limitless not been cancelled. Breakfast food is life and coffee is what makes the world go round.

Guillermo del Toro said “hi” to her once. It was great.

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