Anyone who’s watched Rick and Morty for more than a few seasons knows the voices are as iconic as the show’s portal gun. But in 2023, something shifted: the two main characters got new voices after Justin Roiland’s departure. This guide covers every main voice actor across seasons 1 through 7, including who took over—and why it happened.
Seasons aired: 7 (as of 2023) ·
Original network: Adult Swim ·
Main voice cast count: 5 principal roles ·
Notable recast: Justin Roiland replaced by Ian Cardoni & Harry Belden
Quick snapshot
- Justin Roiland voiced Rick and Morty through season 6 (Den of Geek (entertainment news outlet))
- Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden took over in season 7 (Den of Geek)
- Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer, and Sarah Chalke have been constant cast members since season 1 (IMDb (film and TV database))
- Exact contract length for Cardoni and Belden not disclosed.
- Details of Justin Roiland’s departure settlement remain private.
- December 2013: Series premieres (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- January 2023: Adult Swim cuts ties with Roiland (Entertainment Weekly (celebrity news magazine))
- October 2023: Season 7 debuts with new voices (Entertainment Weekly)
- Cardoni and Belden continue in season 8 (Den of Geek)
- No further cast changes announced as of late 2023 (Den of Geek)
The main ensemble has been remarkably stable except for the lead vocal overhaul in season 7.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Premiere date | December 2, 2013 |
| Network | Cartoon Network / Adult Swim |
| Creators | Justin Roiland & Dan Harmon |
| Seasons | 7 (as of 2023) |
| Original Rick/Morty voice | Justin Roiland (Seasons 1–6) |
| Current Rick voice actor | Ian Cardoni (Season 7+) |
| Current Morty voice actor | Harry Belden (Season 7+) |
| Notable recast | Roiland removed in 2023 |
Who is the main voice cast of Rick and Morty?
Core ensemble cast
- Chris Parnell voices Jerry Smith across all seven seasons (IMDb).
- Spencer Grammer voices Summer Smith throughout the series (IMDb).
- Sarah Chalke voices Beth Smith in every season (IMDb).
- Justin Roiland originally voiced both Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith from 2013 to 2022 (Den of Geek).
- Kari Wahlgren voices Jessica, a recurring character (IMDb).
The implication: The Smith family unit remained untouched while the two lead roles underwent the show’s first major recasting.
Recurring supporting characters
- Keith David voices the President of the United States (Den of Geek).
- Lily Tomlin voices Planetina (Den of Geek).
- Phil Hendrie and Brandon Johnson appear in multiple voices (e.g., Principal Vagina, Mr. Goldenfold) (Den of Geek).
The stability of the supporting cast (Parnell, Grammer, Chalke) means the show’s family dynamic hasn’t changed, even as the two leads were replaced. That consistency helped audiences adjust to the new voices in season 7.
Who voices Rick and Morty after Justin Roiland?
Ian Cardoni as Rick Sanchez
Ian Cardoni stepped in to voice Rick Sanchez starting with season 7 in October 2023 (Den of Geek). The recast was necessary after Adult Swim severed ties with Justin Roiland in January 2023 following domestic violence allegations (Entertainment Weekly). Show producer Scott Marder described the recasting challenge: “We knew it would be difficult because so many approximations sound like ‘Macho Man Randy Savage or like a cousin of his’” (Den of Geek).
Harry Belden as Morty Smith
Harry Belden took over the role of Morty Smith, also debuting in season 7 (Den of Geek). The season 7 premiere was the first episode to provide on-screen clarity about the new voices (Entertainment Weekly).
Why the cast changed
Justin Roiland was removed from the show in early 2023. The decision was made after domestic violence charges were filed (Entertainment Weekly). Roiland is now credited only as co-creator and executive producer beginning in season 7 (Rick and Morty Wiki (fan wiki)).
The catch: The show had to find performers who could match the vocal energy of the original while avoiding mere impression. Cardoni and Belden were chosen after an undisclosed audition process.
Fans who followed Roiland’s voice for six seasons now face an adjustment period. The new actors have to prove they can carry the same comedic weight—a challenge that will define seasons 7 and 8.
Who voices President in Rick and Morty?
Keith David voices the President of the United States in Rick and Morty (Den of Geek). The character is a recurring antagonist who often clashes with Rick’s anarchic approach. David’s deep, authoritative voice adds a layer of gravity to the role, making the President one of the show’s most memorable supporting characters.
Character role
The President appears in several episodes across seasons 3–7, often as a foil to Rick’s disregard for authority. No recast has been announced for this character.
What this means: David remains a constant presence in the show’s political satire subplot, untouched by the main cast shakeup.
Who voices Planetina in Rick and Morty?
Lily Tomlin provides the voice of Planetina, an environmental superheroine introduced in season 5 (Den of Geek). Tomlin, a renowned actress and comedian, brings a satirical earnestness to the character. Planetina only appears in a single episode (“Rick: A Mort Well Lived”), but her voice performance is widely praised.
Character role
Planetina is a parody of eco-warrior archetypes, and Tomlin’s casting adds a layer of veteran prestige to the guest lineup. No plans for a return have been announced.
The pattern: Guest stars like Tomlin demonstrate the show’s ability to attract top-tier talent even amid its own casting transition.
Who are the new voice actors in Rick and Morty season 8?
Season 8 casting updates
Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden continue their roles as Rick and Morty in season 8 (Den of Geek). According to reports, no further cast changes have been announced as of late 2023 (Den of Geek). The show was renewed for an additional 70 episodes in 2018, meaning seasons 8–10 are already in production.
Return of Cardoni and Belden
Both actors have publicly expressed gratitude for the roles in interviews. Their continued tenure suggests Adult Swim is satisfied with the transition. The Rick and Morty Wiki notes that Roiland’s remaining voice roles (e.g., Mr. Poopybutthole) were also recast with John Allen in season 7 (Rick and Morty Wiki).
The implication: The new vocal direction appears permanent, and season 8 will be the first full test of whether audiences fully accept Cardoni and Belden as the definitive voices.
What is the full cast list for Rick and Morty season 1?
Season 1 main cast
- Justin Roiland as Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith
- Chris Parnell as Jerry Smith
- Spencer Grammer as Summer Smith
- Sarah Chalke as Beth Smith
- Kari Wahlgren as Jessica (recurring)
Rick and Morty premiered on Adult Swim on December 2, 2013 (Wikipedia). The season 1 cast set the template that would hold through six seasons until the recasting.
Season 1 recurring characters
- Brandon Johnson as Mr. Goldenfold
- Phil Hendrie as various characters (e.g., Principal Vagina)
- Maurice LaMarche as Abradolf Lincler
The pattern: Season 1 established a core that remained intact for over a decade, making the 2023 recast the only significant disruption to the original ensemble.
Timeline: Key dates in Rick and Morty cast history
- December 2013: Rick and Morty premieres on Adult Swim with Justin Roiland as the voice of Rick and Morty.
- 2013–2022: Original main cast remains stable across six seasons.
- January 2023: Adult Swim cuts ties with Justin Roiland following domestic assault charges (Entertainment Weekly).
- Summer 2023: Adult Swim announces Ian Cardoni as new voice of Rick Sanchez and Harry Belden as new voice of Morty Smith (Den of Geek).
- October 2023: Season 7 debuts with Cardoni and Belden in the lead roles (Entertainment Weekly).
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Justin Roiland voiced Rick and Morty from 2013 to 2022.
- Ian Cardoni voices Rick Sanchez starting in season 7.
- Harry Belden voices Morty Smith starting in season 7.
- Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer, and Sarah Chalke have voiced the Smith family across all seasons.
- Keith David voices the President.
- Lily Tomlin voices Planetina.
What’s unclear
- Exact number of seasons for Cardoni and Belden’s contract duration has not been publicly disclosed.
- Specific details about Justin Roiland’s departure settlement remain private.
Voices behind the recast
“We have parted ways with Justin Roiland. The show will continue.”
— Adult Swim (via Entertainment Weekly)
“We knew it would be difficult to recast Rick because so many approximations sound like ‘Macho Man Randy Savage or like a cousin of his.’”
— Scott Marder, show producer (via Den of Geek)
For fans, the cast change means the show’s future is in new hands. The implication for the series’ longevity: Cardoni and Belden have to win over audiences who grew up with Roiland’s voice. Season 7 and 8 will be the test. For Adult Swim, the choice is clear: trust the new voices to carry one of cable’s most valuable animated properties, or risk alienating a dedicated fanbase that still associates the show with its creator’s original performances.
For a detailed look at the Season 3 voice cast, check out our guide to the episodes and streaming options for that season.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Justin Roiland leave Rick and Morty?
Adult Swim severed ties with Justin Roiland in January 2023 after domestic violence allegations. He was subsequently removed from the cast and replaced for season 7.
When did Ian Cardoni start voicing Rick Sanchez?
Ian Cardoni debuted as Rick Sanchez in season 7, which premiered in October 2023.
Is Morty voiced by a woman?
No. Harry Belden, a male voice actor, now voices Morty Smith. Previously, Justin Roiland (male) voiced the character. Morty’s voice is deliberately high-pitched, which sometimes leads to speculation.
Who voices Summer Smith in Rick and Morty?
Spencer Grammer voices Summer Smith across all seasons.
Who voices Jerry Smith in Rick and Morty?
Chris Parnell voices Jerry Smith throughout the series.
Who voices Beth Smith in Rick and Morty?
Sarah Chalke voices Beth Smith in every season.
Who voices Mr. Goldenfold in Rick and Morty?
Brandon Johnson voices Mr. Goldenfold, Morty’s math teacher.
Will there be new voice actors for Rick and Morty in season 9?
As of late 2023, no further cast changes have been announced. Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden are expected to continue in season 8 and beyond.
Related reading
- The Flintstones Movie Cast: Full List and Where They Are Now — Another animated franchise with an evolving cast.
- Cast of Heretic Film – Full 2024 Cast and Characters — For readers interested in cast breakdowns of popular films.









