Why Was Justin Roiland Fired from Rick and Morty? The Full Story
by In January 2023, fans of the hit animated series Rick and Morty were stunned by the news that co-creator and star Justin Roiland had been fired from the show. Roiland, who voiced both of the titular characters, was a central figure in the series' creative and comedic identity. His dismissal sent shockwaves through the industry, but the decision stemmed from a series of serious allegations and a legal case that became public around the same time.
Here’s a breakdown of the events that led to Justin Roiland's firing and what has happened since.
Adult Swim has ended its association with Justin Roiland. Rick and Morty will continue.
The Domestic Violence Charges
The initial news that prompted Adult Swim's decision to sever ties with Roiland was the public revelation of felony domestic violence charges filed against him in Orange County, California.
The Charges: Roiland was charged with one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury and one felony count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud, or deceit. The charges were related to an alleged incident in January 2020 involving an unnamed woman he was reportedly dating at the time.
The Timeline: While the charges were filed in May 2020, they largely went unnoticed by the media until a pre-trial hearing in January 2023, when news outlets reported on the case. Roiland pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a $50,000 bond.
The Dismissal: In March 2023, the criminal charges against Roiland were dismissed by the Orange County District Attorney's Office. The reason given was "insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt." Roiland released a statement expressing his gratitude for the case being dismissed and his frustration with the "horrible lies" he claimed were reported about him.
A Pattern of Allegations
Even after the domestic violence charges were dropped, Adult Swim and other companies did not re-associate with Roiland. This was largely due to a subsequent cascade of other allegations that emerged in the wake of the initial news.
Workplace Misconduct: Reports from various sources, including former colleagues and writers, began to surface, detailing alleged workplace misconduct, including sexual harassment and a toxic work environment. Some reports suggested that Roiland's behavior had been a long-standing issue and that he had minimal creative involvement in the later seasons of Rick and Morty.
New Allegations: Following the dismissal of the domestic violence charges, new allegations of sexual assault and predatory online behavior, including with underage individuals, were reported by NBC News. Roiland's lawyer denied these claims, calling them "false and defamatory."
For many, the sheer volume of these allegations, regardless of the outcome of the initial court case, created a situation where a professional relationship was no longer tenable. Adult Swim and other companies, like Hulu and his own video game company, Squanch Games, effectively cut ties with him because he was seen as a liability and a toxic presence.
The Recasting and The Show's Future
With Roiland gone, a huge question loomed over the future of Rick and Morty: who would voice the show’s two main characters?
For Season 7, the roles of Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith were recast with two new actors: Ian Cardoni as Rick and Harry Belden as Morty.
The show's producers made a conscious effort to find new actors who could mimic Roiland's iconic voices as closely as possible to maintain a sense of continuity for the audience. The show has continued with co-creator Dan Harmon as the sole showrunner, and the new voices were well-received by many fans, proving that the show could, and would, continue without Roiland's involvement.
In the end, while the legal charges that initially sparked the controversy were dismissed, the collective weight of the public accusations and reported workplace issues ultimately led to Justin Roiland's permanent removal from Rick and Morty and his other creative projects.
