A page turns on the Quebec adaptation of simpsons : Béatrice Picard will no longer be the voice of Marge in the legendary series. The Télétoon channel announced on Wednesday that the venerable 93-year-old actress was retiring. Of the original dubbing team, there are now only a handful left, while several actors have had to be replaced in recent years.
The departure of Béatrice Picard comes two years after the death of actor Hubert Gagnon, the man who was behind Homer Simpson since the first broadcast of the animated series in Quebec in 1991. The actor Yves Massicotte, the one who lent his voice to the alcoholic Barney Gumble, also died last April.
Actor Edgar Fruitier had for his part abandoned the character of the vile businessman Mr. Burns when he began to have trouble with the law.
“There were also the deaths of Benoît Marleau, Louise Rémy, Jean-Louis Millette, who was Grand-Dad [Simpson]. Of course it’s a lot when you think of all these great actors. Hubert Gagnon, it was a shock. Béatrice’s last day was also very emotional: she’s been playing my mother for more than 30 years, “says Johanne Léveillé, director of the dubbing set and, above all, the voice of Bart Simpson, with emotion. .
Surprising longevity
Along with Lisette Dufour (Lisa Simpson), Johanne Léveillé is one of the last to be there from the very beginning. Over time, the Quebec team has become a tightly knit family, even if the actors no longer double together in the same studio since the pandemic.
None of them imagined at the start that The Simpsons would have such longevity. The American network Fox is currently broadcasting the 34e season of this cult series created by Matt Groening. “At first, we didn’t think it would last. The drawings really weren’t as beautiful as they are now. But The Simpsons finally lasted, because they managed to be precursors on many subjects, such as gay marriage, like ecology, like Donald Trump…”, lists Johanne Léveillé, who is often recognized thanks to her voice.
The 66-year-old actress also takes her hat off to her colleague Benoît Rousseau, who signs the Quebec adaptation of simpsons. He is the one who makes sure that the jokes are understood by everyone and who replaces them with Quebec references if necessary. A real work of craftsmanship, sometimes, knowing that the series is intended to be a satire of American society and that the scenarios are often stuck on current events in the United States.
The Simpsons and Diversity
“But let’s be frank, the success of simpsons can also be explained by the fact that what happens south of the border is not so different from what happens north. We too have our extremists. We also have problems with the health system. […] What I like best about the series is that while we can’t say anything more, The Simpsonsthey still dare,” notes Johanne Léveillé.
The series has nevertheless paid the price for the major movements that have shaken up Hollywood in recent years. In 2020, the creators of the popular show announced that characters of color will no longer be voiced by white actors in the original version.
Not so for Quebec adaptation, even if these issues are also raised here in the world of dubbing.
“I’ve been doing a 10-year-old little yellow guy for over 30 years, and I’m not yellow or a little boy. I already remember hiring black actors to do white characters and nobody was offended. It’s dubbing, it’s voices! Yes, we want more cultural diversity, we are still careful. But we must not prevent ourselves from taking the best actor, regardless of his color, ”pleads Ms. Léveillé, who has no intention of retiring.
Béatrice Picard will be replaced by Chantal Baril, who is already doubling the character of Milhouse.