(Screenshot via YouTube)

Waylon Smithers, assistant to maniacal power plant owner Mr. Burns, will come out in episode 17 of “The Simpsons” titled “The Burns Cage.”

“When Smithers is devastated by Burns’ lack of affection towards him, Homer makes it his mission to find him a boyfriend. Meanwhile, after Bart orchestrates the removal of the lead in the school’s stage production of ‘Casablanca,’ Milhouse serves as a terrible understudy, which frustrates his co-star, Lisa,” the episode description reads.

George Takei is also listed as making a guest voice appearance.

Speaking with TVLine, show runner Al Jean said Smithers’s sexuality would be a storyline during the 27th season.

“In Springfield now, most people know he’s gay, but obviously Burns doesn’t,” Jean told TVline. “We deal with that in two episodes. … We actually do a lot with Smithers this year; he gets fed up with Burns not appreciating him and considers his options.”

Smithers’s affection for Mr. Burns has been shown frequently on the show, but the character has never explicitly stated his feelings.

The episode airs Sunday, April 3 at 8 p.m. on FOX.