Get your first look at Mrs. Berrera

The Simpsons type TV Show network Fox genre Animated Where to watch Close Streaming Options

Bart Simpson is about to start paying attention in class.

Sofia Vergara has recorded a role as Bart’s new — and yes, highly attractive — teacher on The Simpsons, EW has learned exclusively. After Bart starts drinking a milk substitute filled with bad hormones, he experiences early puberty and grows a little mustache — as well as feelings for Mrs. Berrera, who is voiced by the Modern Family star. “She’s more forgiving than Mrs. Krabappel was of Bart,” hints Simpsons executive producer Al Jean about the character. “She pays special attention to him.”

Mrs. Berrera winds up in the middle of a romantic rivalry, as she has also drawn the attention of Principal Skinner. “We thought it’d be interesting if both Bart and Skinner have a crush on the same woman,” notes Jean. “She feels Skinner is a wounded soul that she wants to take care of. She is a vet like Skinner, and that’s his attraction.”

Jean adds that the door will be left open for Vergara — who films Modern Family at the same studio as The Simpsons — to return for future episodes. “We have a situation where Bart doesn’t have a regular teacher,” he says, in reference to Mrs. Krabappel’s death, “so she may or may not come back.” (Marcia Wallace, the actress who voiced Mrs. Krabappel, passed away in 2013.) “[Sofia] was really funny and we were glad to have her,” adds Jean. “And as she said, ‘I’m just 100 yards away on the Fox lot.'”

Vergara’s episode, titled “Teenage Mutant Milk-Caused Hurdles,” is slated to air in the middle of season 27, which kicks off Sept. 27. The door

Vergara has previously voiced characters on two other animated Fox shows, Family Guy and The Cleveland Show.

Image zoom EW/Martin Schwartz

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