Updated Jan. 25 at 10:30 a.m.
Adult Swim has cut ties with Justin Roiland, the co-creator and star of the popular show, Rick and Morty. In a statement posted to the show’s Twitter account, it said the show would continue and that the “talented and dedicated crew are hard at work on Season 7.” Roiland’s voice roles are set to be played by new actors, The Hollywood Reporter reported, according to anonymous sources.
Roiland is facing two felony charges related to an alleged domestic violence incident from 2020. Roiland, 42, was charged in Orange County, Calif., in 2020 for the alleged incident that occurred in January of that year, the complaint states. Roiland’s next hearing is scheduled for April 27.
According to NBC News, Roiland was arrested and released on a $50,000 bond in August 2020 and arraigned in October of that year. He pleaded not guilty. Roiland’s attorney T. Edward Welbourn stated in a statement on Jan. 14: “It is hard to overstate how inaccurate the recent media coverage of this situation has been. To be clear, not only is Justin innocent but we also have every expectation that this matter is on course to be dismissed once the District Attorney’s office has completed its methodical review of the evidence. We look forward to clearing Justin’s name and helping him move forward as swiftly as possible.”
Roiland is best known for creating Rick and Morty with Dan Harmon as well as voicing the titular characters. Chris Parnell, Spencer Graham and Sarah Chalke voice the rest of Rick and Morty’s family. The show began its life as an animated short parody of Back to the Future, created by Roiland for Dan Harmon’s short film festival Channel 101.
The show, which premiered on Adult Swim in 2013, has been nominated for three Emmys for Best Outstanding Animated Program and won the award in 2018 and 2020. It has also won two Annie Awards. The popularity of the show launched a hundred-million dollar merchandising and media franchise.
The 10-episode sixth season of Rick and Morty began its run in September 2022. A seventh season was confirmed as part of a long-term deal with Cartoon Network that ordered 70 new episodes at the time.
Roiland also co-created Hulu’s animated show Solar Opposites with Mike McMahan. That series was renewed for a fifth season in October.
Update: On Wednesday morning, it was announced that Roiland had been dropped from Solar Opposites by Hulu, which is also removing him as executive producer and voice actor of the recently premiered Koala Man. The production company for both series, 20th Television Animation — which had an overall deal with Roiland — has also ended its association with the animator.
