Rick and Morty Season 7 debuts new voices amid controversy

Rick and Morty's highly anticipated Season 7 launch on Sunday, October 15, brought with it a dramatic change in the show's dynamic. Adult Swim has revealed the new voices of the legendary characters, Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith, signaling the end of Justin Roiland's time as the duo's original voice.

In a search that spanned nearly six months and involved a multitude of candidates, Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden emerged as the chosen voices for the charismatic but narcissistic Rick and his lovable yet bumbling grandson Morty. This change comes into effect after the show's co-creator, Justin Roiland was let go after several allegations of domestic violence were reported and the news rocked Hollywood.

The show's creator, Scott Marder, monitored the casting process in order to make the transition as easy as possible. The goal was to ensure that both viewers who were aware of the behind-the-scenes drama and those who weren't couldn't discern the difference in the beloved characters. Marder and co-creator Dan Harmon saw using two voices for Rick and Morty rather than one as a means to lengthen the show's runtime.


Ian Cardoni, hailing from the Boston area and an alumnus of Emerson College, brings his talent to the table after appearances in projects like Larry David's "Clear History" and voice work for Syfy's "Resident Alien," WWE, and Apple TV+. Harry Belden, a Chicago native and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign graduate, on the other hand, has sharpened his abilities at the Second City Training Center. He has also been on Adult Swim's "Joe Pera Talks With You," Fox's "Proven Innocent," and NBC's "Chicago Med." Notably, both actors have refrained from conducting interviews, as they are respecting the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.

The opening of Season 7 represented not just a new beginning for the popular animated series, but also an important turning point in its history. Fans responded variously to the new voices, with some concerned that the newcomers would fall short of the old characters' legacy. However, others lauded Cardoni and Belden for their performances, expressing confidence that they would do justice to Rick and Morty. As this new chapter unfolds, viewers can expect an exciting and evolving experience from the beloved show.