Warning: Minor spoilers ahead for Rick and Morty season 1, episode 1.

Summary

  • Rick and Morty season 7 replaces Justin Roiland with relatively unknown actors for continuity over novelty.
  • Ian Cardoni's portrayal of Rick in episode 1 is an uncanny impression of Roiland's version, with less slurred speech than in the show's earlier seasons.
  • Harry Belden's portrayal of Morty is close to the original incarnation, but the character doesn't get much screen time in the premiere.

After a long wait for Rick and Morty season 7, the premiere finally revealed the animated series' two new lead voice actors, and their names aren’t as recognizable as viewers might have expected. In January 2023, Rick and Morty star Justin Roiland was charged with domestic battery, and Adult Swim cut ties with the actor. Roiland’s other show, Solar Opposites, replaced him with Dan Stevens, a relatively high-profile star who appeared in 2017’s live-action Beauty and the Beast remake, as well as 2014’s The Guest. However, replacing Roiland in Rick and Morty was a trickier proposition due to his unique roles.

Roiland voiced both title characters in the show’s first six seasons. As such, Rick and Morty season 7’s cast included new voice actors for both Rick and Morty. This inevitably led to speculation about who would take on the roles, with some viewers suggesting that this was a good opportunity to replace Roiland with famous actors. In the end, Rick and Morty season 7's creators went in the opposite direction, casting relatively unknown actors to prioritize continuity over novelty.

Ian Cardoni's Previous Roles Before Rick Sanchez

Rick smiles at his robot ghost in Rick and Morty season 7 trailer

Ian Cardoni is an actor based in Boston who is mostly known for voice over work. Before being cast as Rick Sanchez in Rick and Morty season 7, he was a narrator in WrestleMania 37 and 36. He also held minor roles in the TV series Dead of Night, the TV movie Clear History, and Grown Ups. Some of Rick and Morty season 7 episode 1’s most hilarious moments come from Cardoni’s version of Rick. The actor delivers uncanny impression that feels almost identical to Roiland’s take on the character. ittedly, Cardoni’s iteration of the egomaniacal antihero doesn’t slur his speech as much as the Rick of earlier seasons.

However, Roiland’s own Rick performance relied on this trait less and less in recent seasons, making Cardoni’s version of the character almost a perfect dupe for season 6 Rick. This is pretty pivotal, as the plot of “How Poopy Got His Poop Back” reunites Rick with his friends Squanchy, Birdperson, Gearhead, and Mr. Poopybutthole, meaning the episode is more lore heavy than viewers might have anticipated. Cardoni is thrown in the proverbial deep end with an episode steeped in returning characters, but he proves that Roiland’s exit is just what Rick and Morty season 7 needed, giving a strong debut for the updated character.

Harry Belden's Previous Roles Before Morty Smith

Morty and Rick in Rick and Morty season 7

While Rick and Morty were previously voiced by the same actor, “How Poopy Got His Poop Back” reveals that one actor will now play Rick, while another plays his naive but well-meaning grandson. Harry Belden, who is the new voice of Morty, was previously seen in Joe Pera Talks With You, where he played the minor role of a security guard. Before that, he appeared in Chicago Med and the series Proven Innocent. However, his biggest role before Rick and Morty season 7 was as Will in the TV movie Christmas… Again?! While Cardoni’s Rick gets a lot of screen time in the premiere, Belden’s Morty is still a mystery.

How Ian Cardoni & Harry Belden's Rick & Morty Voices Compare To Justin Roiland

Rick and morty emerging from a portal beside a picture of justin roiland

While Rick and Morty season 7 doesn't try hiding Roiland’s exit, the show does minimize Morty’s screen time in “How Poopy Got His Poop Back.” This is a wise decision, as it will take time for viewers to acclimate to each new voice. As such, replacing one actor at a time makes more sense than suddenly replacing both of the show’s eponymous heroes. That said, Belden’s Morty does have a few lines in “How Poopy Got His Poop Back,” and he sounds very close to his original incarnation. Both voice actors excel at imitation, but it's Cardoni whose impression gets more focus in episode 1.

Rick had a far larger role in “How Poopy Got His Poop Back,” and he sounds more like late-season Rick than the show’s shuddery, more unhinged hero from Rick and Morty seasons 1 and 2. While this ittedly makes the transition between voice actors very smooth, it's also something of a missed opportunity for the series. Rick and Morty season 7 episode 1’s post-credits stinger promises a return to the zanier, more light-hearted goofiness of early seasons. However, Rick’s new voice actor sticking to his late-season persona proves that Rick and Morty season 7 isn’t ready to completely alter the show’s tone.