Cartoon Network’s late-night programming block Adult Swim announced that it had cut ties with Justin Roiland, co-creator of the show “Rick and Morty,” following revelations regarding his alleged domestic abuse.
The adult animated comedy show has become one of, if not the network’s most lucrative cash cow since its premiere in 2013, with its media and merchandising franchise estimated to be worth up to $1 billion, according to Yahoo Finance.
The future of the show was thrown up into the air earlier this month when NBC News revealed that Roiland was facing felony domestic violence and false imprisonment charges over a 2020 incident with a woman he was dating at the time. On Tuesday, it was announced that the show would continue, albeit without Roiland.
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“Adult Swim has ended its association with Justin Roiland. Rick and Morty will continue,” a statement on the Rick and Morty Twitter account read, which was retweeted by Adult Swim. “The talented and dedicated crew are hard at work on Season 7.”
Aside from co-creating the show with Dan Harmon, Roiland also provided the voices for the two main characters, the titular Rick and Morty, along with a host of other characters. He played a significant role in the creative direction of the show as well, now leaving much uncertainty over how the series will be handled going forward.
Roiland has pleaded not guilty to the charges, maintaining his innocence.
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“To be clear, not only is Justin innocent but 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,” his attorney, T. Edward Welbourn, wrote in a statement, obtained by the Hollywood Reporter. “We look forward to clearing Justin’s name and helping him move forward as swiftly as possible.”
