Summary
It seems like just yesterday that Adult Swim revealed a major renewal forRick and Morty, yet they are now approaching the conclusion of that deal. With speculation rising about Season 10 possibly being the series finale, co-creator Dan Harmon sheds light on Season 7’s finale, explaining why it should be seen as a “reset” for the Smith Family and the entire show.
One of the major updates forRick and Morty’sseventh season on Adult Swim was the replacement of Justin Roiland as the voice of the titular characters. Following Cartoon Network’s decision to sever ties with the show’s co-creator,the new voice actorsIan Cardoni and Harry Belden stepped in to portray Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith. In a recent interview, co-creator Dan Harmon delved into the latest season, sharing his thoughts on why season seven should be seen as a reset for the series beyond just Roiland’s exit.
Rick and Morty co-creator Dan Harmon recently spoke toVariety, offering insights into the show’s future and the status of the 70-episode deal announced in 2018. Harmon discussed various topics, including the Season 7 finale, which sparked mixed reactions from fans—some finding it an emotional favorite, while others felt it served as a reset after significant events in the season. Reflecting on Season 7, Harmon acknowledged it as a necessary reset following the departure of co-creatorJustin Roiland, who Adult Swim fired due to domestic violence charges.To navigate the show’s future, new voice actors Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden have joined to voice Rick and Morty. Harmon emphasized that this reset was crucial to ensure a fresh start for Season 8, maintaining viewer engagement: “I think a reset is a good way of looking at it. We had so much behind-the-scenes drama that I think we didn’t need a lot of irony and challenge on the screen narratively. I think the experiment became, can we accomplish the show moving forward? Can the fans not lose their favorite show, not be distracted by any of the turbulence? There was also another important reason to reset, which is we’re anticipating doing a lot more of these.”
Midway through the season,Rick and Mortystunned fans with significant canon moments, notablyRick C-137 finally killing his nemesis, Rick Prime, in Episode 5. The season finale, “Fear No Mort,” was comparatively subdued, resembling a typical series episode with minimal long-term impact, aside from Morty’s personal resolution. It might have garnered more acclaim if it hadn’t been the finale, but Dan Harmon’s reasoning for this choice becomes clear when considering his vision for the show’s future. With extensive TV experience, Harmon highlighted the importance of a Season 7 reset to set up future storylines and maintain the series' creative longevity. He emphasized the goal of producing “thousands of episodes” and outlined how the team plans to achieve this ambitious milestone, stating, “This was always designed to be a show that could last thousands of episodes. And you may’t last thousands of episodes if you’re simply going to tell a serialized story about how your protagonist stops being the protagonist. I’ve always been obsessively focused on maintaining modularity so that the more popular your show gets, the more accessible it is to a hopefully increasing freeway of traffic.”
While Dan Harmon can’t confirm anything about Season 11 onwards, he’s optimistic aboutRick and Morty’sfuture, anticipating another renewal, likely with Adult Swim. This expectation is understandable given the show’s enduring popularity and status as one of TV’s most merchandised and critically acclaimed animated series. As long as Harmon and his team are on board, network executives are likely to continue supporting the series. With Season 7 concluded and no release date yet for Season 8, Harmon feels that past drama is behind them, allowing fans to focus on the show’s content. Given the franchise’s success, reaching a milestone of one thousand episodes seems feasible. Additionally,Rick and Morty: The Animeis set to debut this year, offering a fresh take on the Smith family.
Rick And Morty’seighth season is expected to arrive in 2025.
Rick and Morty
Rick and Morty is an animated sci-fi comedy that follows the outrageous interplanetary and multidimensional adventures of Rick Sanchez and his grandson, Morty. Airing on Adult Swim, Rick and Morty has become one of the most popular animated shows on television, blending humor, action, and genuine emotion.
