Adult Swim Severs Ties With ‘Rick And Morty’ Co-Creator Justin Roiland After Domestic Violence Charges Against Him Became Public

25.01.2023 - 01:31 / deadline.com

Justin Roiland, co-creator/executive producer of Adult Swim’s flagship animated series Rick and Morty, is no longer in business with the Warner Bros. Discovery brand on the heel of serious domestic violence allegations against him coming to light earlier this month.

“Adult Swim has ended its association with Justin Roiland,” a spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday.

Roiland’s exit is not expected to impact the hit series, which will continue. Co-created by Roiland and Dan Harmon, Rick and Morty received a massive 70-episode order in 2018 when Adult Swim also signed new long-term deals with Roiland and Harmon.

There has been no reaction yet from Hulu where Roiland is co-creator/executive producer and voice cast member of animated series Solar Opposites. He also is a performer on the streamer’s animated comedy Koala Man.

Roiland has been charged with one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury and one felony count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud and/or deceit by the Orange County District Attorney’s office. The incident in question against a Jane Doe allegedly occurred in January 2020, according to a May 2020 complaint. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in October 2020. The semi-sealed case was kept out of the public until a hearing January 12, 2023. Roiland, who was present, also is required to attend a scheduled April 27 hearing.

No trial date has been set, but Roiland could face up to seven years in prison if convicted.

Roiland’s attorney has insisted that his client is innocent, noting that “we also have every expectation that this matter is on course to be dismissed once the District Attorney’s office has completed its methodical review of the evidence.”