Rick and Morty aired its premiere episode back in 2013 and quickly became a hit for Adult Swim. Created by Dan Harmon (Community) and Justin Roiland, the show is about an arrogant super scientist and his hapless grandson whom he drags into his misadventures. The show isn’t as popular now as it was at its peak, back in the Pickle Rick days, but it still has a passionate fanbase, and his news is going to shake them up: Roiland is leaving the show. “Adult Swim has ended its association with Justin Roiland,” a spokesperson said.
We don’t have details, but this is almost definitely linked to Roiland facing domestic violence charges. He was charged last week in Orange County, California with one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury and one felony count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud and/or deceit. The charges concern a 2020 involving a woman Roiland was dating at the time.
Roiland also created the show Solar Opposites for Hulu. We’re not sure what will become of that series.
Both Rick and Morty will need to be recast
Roiland didn’t just create Rick and Morty: he voices the two main characters, so if Adult Swim has “ended its association” with him, it will need to recast both parts. That’s gonna be a tall order.
Rick and Morty wrapped up its sixth season in December. It has four more seasons to go before it finishes the 70-episode order Adult Swim placed years ago.
As for Roiland, his legal case continues. No trial date has yet been set, but if convicted he could face up to seven years in prison.
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