What Happened to Rick and Morty?
Rick and Morty is a critically acclaimed adult animated science fiction sitcom that follows the interdimensional adventures of cynical mad scientist Rick Sanchez and his good-hearted grandson Morty Smith. Despite facing a major creative shift with the dismissal of co-creator and voice actor Justin Roiland in 2023, the series has continued its run with new voice actors and remains highly popular, with its ninth season set to premiere in May 2026.
Quick Answer
Rick and Morty has continued to thrive despite the departure of co-creator Justin Roiland in January 2023, with new voice actors Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden taking over the titular roles. The show successfully aired its seventh season in late 2023 and its eighth season from May to July 2025. Fans can look forward to the ninth season, which is officially slated to premiere on Adult Swim on May 24, 2026, with an emphasis on being 'human-made' amidst industry discussions around AI.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Series Premieres on Adult Swim
Rick and Morty, created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, debuts on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, quickly gaining critical acclaim.
Adult Swim Orders 70 New Episodes
Adult Swim announces a massive long-term deal, renewing the series for 70 additional episodes, securing its future through at least a tenth season.
Wins First Primetime Emmy Award
The episode 'Pickle Rick' from Season 3 wins the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program, marking the show's first Emmy win.
Wins Second Primetime Emmy Award
The episode 'The Vat of Acid Episode' from Season 4 secures the show's second Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program.
Justin Roiland Dismissed by Adult Swim
Adult Swim severs ties with co-creator and voice actor Justin Roiland following domestic abuse charges, leading to the recasting of his roles.
Season 7 Premieres with New Voice Actors
The seventh season debuts, featuring Ian Cardoni as Rick and Harry Belden as Morty, marking the first season without Justin Roiland's voice work.
Season 8 Delayed to 2025
Due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, it is reported that Season 8's premiere will be delayed until 2025.
Series Renewed Through Season 12
At New York Comic Con, it is announced that 'Rick and Morty' has been renewed for an additional two seasons, extending the series through Season 12.
Season 8 Premieres
The eighth season of 'Rick and Morty' begins airing on Adult Swim, consisting of ten episodes.
Season 8 Concludes
The eighth season of 'Rick and Morty' finishes its run on Adult Swim.
Voice Work for Season 9 Begins
It is announced that voice recording for the upcoming ninth season has commenced.
'President Curtis' Spin-off Confirmed for Late 2026
Keith David, voice of President Curtis, confirms that a spin-off series centered on his character will premiere on Adult Swim in late 2026.
Season 9 Premiere Date Announced
Adult Swim officially announces that 'Rick and Morty' Season 9 will premiere on May 24, 2026, emphasizing its 'human-made' nature.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Since its debut on Adult Swim in December 2013, 'Rick and Morty' quickly established itself as a cultural phenomenon, lauded for its sharp writing, originality, and blend of high-concept science fiction with domestic family drama. Created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, the series garnered significant critical acclaim, earning multiple Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Animated Program in 2018 and 2020, and a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Animation TV Series. Its unique comedic style and complex narratives resonated with a broad audience, consistently making it one of the most-viewed television comedies for young adults.
A pivotal turning point for the franchise occurred in January 2023 when Adult Swim announced it had ended its association with co-creator Justin Roiland. This decision followed charges of domestic abuse against Roiland, which were later dropped, but the controversy led to further allegations and his subsequent dismissal from all associated projects, including 'Rick and Morty,' 'Solar Opposites,' and 'Koala Man.' The immediate consequence was the recasting of the titular characters, Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith. Ian Cardoni was brought in to voice Rick, and Harry Belden took over as Morty, a transition that was largely praised by critics for its seamlessness.
Despite this significant behind-the-scenes change, the show's production continued. Season 7 premiered on October 15, 2023, and concluded on December 17, 2023, marking the first season without Roiland's voice contributions. The narrative of Season 7 delved deeper into character arcs and continued the overarching storyline of Rick's hunt for Rick Prime. Following this, Season 8, which experienced some production delays due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, eventually premiered on May 25, 2025, and concluded on July 27, 2025.
As of March 28, 2026, 'Rick and Morty' remains a cornerstone of Adult Swim's programming. The series is currently preparing for the premiere of its ninth season, scheduled for May 24, 2026. Adult Swim has emphasized that Season 9 will be 'made by real humans,' a playful jab at the growing discussions around artificial intelligence in creative industries. Beyond the main series, the franchise is expanding with spin-offs, including 'Rick and Morty: The Anime' which was anticipated in 2024, and a 'President Curtis' spin-off confirmed to premiere in late 2026. The show's long-term future is secured by a deal from May 2018 that ordered 70 new episodes, extending through Season 10, and a further renewal announced in October 2024, securing the series through Season 12.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Rick and Morty made different choices?