WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is to guest star in animated comedy The Simpsons - as himself.
His role, which is on the show's 500th episode, is to be broadcast in the US on February 19 and in the UK in May on Sky1.
In the episode, the Simpsons family move from the fictional town of Springfield to an isolated house where Assange is their neighbour.
The 40-year-old is currently under house arrest in Britain while he appeals his extradition to Sweden over alleged sex offences, which he denies.
He recorded his lines from the UK.
The show's executive producer, Al Jean, told Entertainment Weekly that the show's creative team realised Assange was "controversial", but have avoided delving into his "legal situation".
Instead, the writers made sure the appearance was satirical.
The collaboration came about after series creator, Matt Groening, heard a rumour Assange was interested in guest-starring.
"We asked our casting director Bonnie Pietila - who had been able to unearth Thomas Pynchon and got Tony Blair to do the show - to find Mr Assange. And she did," Mr Jean said.
Other famous figures who have appeared on The Simpsons as themselves include Paul McCartney, Rupert Murdoch, Stephen Hawking, Mel Gibson and Gordon Ramsay .
Assange angered US officials in 2010 when, in partnership with major newspapers, he published leaked diplomatic cables that exposed the candid views of American officials and their allies.
Last week, the Kremlin-funded, English-language channel Russia Today revealed it had given Assange his own television chat show.
Assange will interview noteworthy figures on a show called The World Tomorrow.
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