Dan Harmon speaking at an industry panel about the future of Rick and Morty
TV & Film

Dan Harmon Opens Up About Resetting 'Rick And Morty' After Justin Roiland Ouster

The show co-creator reflects on navigating major behind-the-scenes drama and steadying the Adult Swim hit after firing his former partner.

By Dee AlvarezPublished Updated 2 min read

Dan Harmon is finally opening up about the high-stakes behind-the-scenes drama that rocked the world of *Rick and Morty*. Speaking during a recent industry event, the show's co-creator reflected on the massive cultural shift inside the writer's room after former co-creator and lead voice actor Justin Roiland was ousted from the production. The animated sci-fi juggernaut hit serious turbulence in early 2023, right as team members were preparing for the premiere of Season 7. According to reports from the event, Harmon admitted that the period immediately following Roiland's dismissal involved serious chaos, forcing the remaining crew to rebuild their entire working environment from the ground up.

What happened with Justin Roiland and Rick and Morty?

Justin Roiland was abruptly cut loose from Adult Swim after facing felony domestic violence charges in California. While those legal charges were eventually dismissed due to insufficient evidence, additional reports surfaced alleging improper behavior and troubling workplace conduct. The scandal prompted the network to sever all ties with Roiland, who had voiced both titular lead characters since the show debuted a decade prior. Losing a co-creator who provided the central voices for a global cartoon sensation left the hit series in an unprecedented spot. The production team faced the daunting task of re-casting the main roles with fresh voice talent while simultaneously working to repair a strained workplace environment. Harmon noted that navigating that high-pressure period was intense, but the creative team ultimately managed to lock down new voice actors and deliver Season 7 without sinking the beloved brand.

Dan Harmon speaking at an industry panel about the future of Rick and Morty
Dan Harmon speaking at an industry panel about the future of Rick and Morty

Is Rick and Morty still continuing without Justin Roiland?

Despite the backstage shakeup, the show shows zero signs of slowing down. Harmon expressed confidence that the flagship adult animation series has finally found its footing after a prolonged stretch of drama. The crew successfully recalibrated, and the production process is reportedly running smoother than ever under the revised leadership structure. Harmon also touched on the broader climate for adult animated television, acknowledging both the anxieties and opportunities facing creators in an evolving industry landscape. With new seasons locked in and the behind-the-scenes culture restructured, *Rick and Morty* has effectively turned the page on one of the rockiest chapters in modern animated TV history.

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People also ask

Why was Justin Roiland fired from Rick and Morty?
Adult Swim cut ties with Justin Roiland in early 2023 following domestic violence charges and reports of workplace misconduct. The legal charges against him were later dismissed.
Who replaced Justin Roiland on Rick and Morty?
Production recast Roiland's iconic roles with voice actors Ian Cardoni as Rick and Harry Belden as Morty starting in Season 7.