US TV channel Adult Swim has decided to drop Justin Roliand, co-creator and voice actor of Rick and Morty, as he prepares to defend himself over charges of domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend.
Mr. Roiland was the voice of the title characters in an animated sitcom about a scientist and his grandson.
As the show enters its seventh season, Adult Show said that the show would go on with its roles recast.
All the accusations were denied by Mr. Roiland. No date for trials has been determined.
On Tuesday, a statement was released, saying, “Adult Swim has ended its association with Justin Roiland.”
“Rick and Morty will continue. “The talented and dedicated crew is hard at work on season seven.”
— Rick and Morty (@RickandMorty) January 24, 2023
In May 2020, Mr. Roiland, 42, was charged with two charges of domestic violence by an unidentified woman living with him at the time. The charges include false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud/or deceit, and domestic battery with corporal injury.
According to a report filed with the police, the incident happened on 19th January last year which resulted “in a traumatic condition” for the woman.”
Roiland’s lawyer said in a statement that his client was “innocent,” adding, “We look forward to clearing Justin’s name and helping him move forward as swiftly as possible.”
Earlier this month, Mr. Roiland appeared at a pre-trial hearing, and ahead of his trial, he is set to return to court in April. He could face up to 7 years of sentence in prison.
In 2013, he and Dan Harmon co-created the anarchic animated sitcom, which won the Emmy for the outstanding animated shows in 2018 and 2020.