The voice of American comedy character Rick and Morty will be recast after the show’s co-creator Justin Rowland was fired over domestic violence allegations.
The 42-year-old – who co-created the Adult Swim animated series and voiced two lead characters – has been accused of incident Ex-girlfriends are involved. He denies the allegations.
Rick and Morty has aired on Cartoon Network for six seasons as part of Adult Swim’s nightly show and has been renewed for a seventh season.
Adult Swim issued a statement saying the popular American cartoon would continue despite the writer’s absence.
A statement posted online by Adult Swim on Tuesday said: “Adult Swim has ended its association with Justin Roiland.
“Rick and Morty will continue. The talented and dedicated cast is hard at work for a seventh season.”
Rick and Morty.Image: © Adult Swim
A criminal complaint filed by prosecutors in May 2020, seen by NBC News, accused Roiland of causing bodily harm and false imprisonment through threats, fraud, violence or deceiving the woman he was living with at the time.
The woman was not identified in court documents. Roiland pleaded not guilty.
The charges relate to an incident in January 2020 and Roiland was indicted in May of that year. However, the media apparently did not take notice of the allegations until they were reported by NBC News.
Roiland was arrested in August 2020 and released on $50,000 (£41,000) bond before returning to court in October 2020, according to more documents seen by NBC News.
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A protective order, which went into effect in October 2020 and remains in effect until October 2023, says he must not harass, threaten or monitor the person named in the order, and must not come within 100 feet of that person. He was also ordered to turn in any firearms he owned or possessed.
Roiland’s lawyers have maintained his innocence and said he looks forward to being cleared.
He is expected to return to court in April, but a trial date has yet to be set.