History of Rick and Morty in Timeline

Rick and Morty is an adult animated science fiction sitcom about Rick Sanchez, a cynical mad scientist, and his grandson Morty Smith. They embark on interdimensional adventures across infinite realities, balancing domestic life with Rick's often dangerous hijinks. The show blends family drama with dark humor and complex scientific concepts, exploring themes of nihilism, existentialism, and the nature of family. Their adventures involve traveling to other planets and dimensions using Rick's inventions.

2004: Roiland joins Channel 101

In 2004, Justin Roiland began submitting content to Channel 101, a short film festival, where he would later meet Dan Harmon and begin collaborating.

2006: Creation of The Real Animated Adventures of Doc and Mharti

In 2006, Justin Roiland, after being fired from a television series, created "The Real Animated Adventures of Doc and Mharti" for Channel 101, a short film that parodied Back to the Future and served as the precursor to Rick and Morty.

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May 2012: Adult Swim unveils Rick and Morty pilot

In May 2012, Adult Swim unveiled its development slate that included a Rick and Morty pilot from Harmon and Roiland.

October 2012: Rick and Morty picked up to series

In October 2012, Adult Swim picked up Rick and Morty to series, making it one of the network's first primetime original shows.

2012: Harmon approached by Adult Swim and Rick and Morty inception

In 2012, after Dan Harmon was briefly fired from Community, Adult Swim approached him. Harmon then contacted Justin Roiland, which led to the initial concept of Rick and Morty using the Doc and Mharti characters.

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December 2013: Season 1 Premieres

In December 2013, the first season of Rick and Morty premiered on Adult Swim, marking the official debut of the series.

2013: Roiland discusses cartooning style

In a 2013 interview, Justin Roiland acknowledged the influence of The Simpsons on his cartooning style, while also comparing his style to that of Pendleton Ward (Adventure Time) and J. G. Quintel (Regular Show).

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February 2014: Renewal for Second Season

In February 2014, Rick and Morty was renewed for a second season due to its strong performance in its time slot.

April 2014: Season 1 Concludes

In April 2014, the first season of Rick and Morty concluded after airing eleven episodes.

April 1, 2015: Rick and Morty Comic Book Adaptation Debuts

On April 1, 2015, the first monthly issue of a Rick and Morty comic book adaptation, entitled "BAM!", was released. It was initially written by Zac Gorman and illustrated by CJ Cannon.

August 2015: Rick and Morty renewed for a third season

In August 2015, Adult Swim renewed Rick and Morty for a third season, prompted by the second season's success.

October 2015: Season 2 Concludes

In October 2015, the second season of Rick and Morty concluded its run after airing ten episodes.

January 10, 2016: Canadian Premiere on Adult Swim

On January 10, 2016, Rick and Morty premiered on Adult Swim in Canada.

March 2016: Tom Fowler begins writing Rick and Morty comic

In March 2016, artist Tom Fowler began writing a multi-issue story arc for the Rick and Morty comic book series.

April 1, 2017: Season 3 Premieres as April Fools' Day Prank

On April 1, 2017, the third season of Rick and Morty unexpectedly premiered as an April Fools' Day prank.

October 2017: Season 3 Concludes

In October 2017, the initial airing of the third season of Rick and Morty concluded, comprising only ten episodes due to production delays.

February 26, 2018: McDonald's Szechuan Sauce Returns

On February 26, 2018, McDonald's announced the return of Szechuan Sauce to all of its stores, nearly twenty years after its original release, due to popular demand from Rick and Morty fans after it was referenced in "The Rickshank Rickdemption."

May 15, 2018: Season 3 Released on DVD and Blu-ray

On May 15, 2018, the 10-episode third season of Rick and Morty was released on DVD (2-disc set) and Blu-ray (single BD-50 disc) with special features.

May 2018: Long-term Deal for 70 New Episodes

In May 2018, Adult Swim announced a long-term deal with the creators of Rick and Morty, ordering 70 new episodes over an unspecified number of seasons.

May 18, 2018: Premiere in Quebec

On May 18, 2018, Rick and Morty premiered in Quebec on Télétoon's Télétoon la nuit block.

August 29, 2018: Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons Comic Released

On August 29, 2018, the four-issue crossover comic series "Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons", co-written by Jim Zub and Patrick Rothfuss, with art by Troy Little, was released.

September 2018: Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons: Chapter II: Painscape Published

In September 2018, the mini-series sequel, "Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons: Chapter II: Painscape", written by Jim Zub and Sarah Stern with art by Troy Little, was published.

2018: Primetime Emmy Award Win

In 2018, Rick and Morty won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program, recognizing the show's critical acclaim.

May 2019: Season 4 Debut Announced

In May 2019, the fourth season of Rick and Morty was announced to debut in November 2019.

November 10, 2019: Season 4, Part 1 Premieres

On November 10, 2019, the first five episodes of the fourth season of Rick and Morty began airing.

November 2019: Season 4 Debut

In November 2019, the fourth season of Rick and Morty debuted.

2019: Creator Expresses Desire for R-Rated Movie

In 2019, show creator Justin Roiland expressed his desire to make an R-rated Rick and Morty feature film.

January 2020: Channel 4 Airs Season 4

In January 2020, Channel 4 in the United Kingdom began airing Rick and Morty with season 4, representing its first pickup by an international television channel. However the air date for the first episode was moved to November 20, 2020 due to viewer complaints.

January 2020: Alleged Domestic Incident

In January 2020, an alleged domestic incident occurred involving Justin Roiland, which later led to felony charges in January 2023.

May 3, 2020: Season 4, Part 2 Premieres

On May 3, 2020, the remaining five episodes of the fourth season of Rick and Morty began airing.

2020: Second Primetime Emmy Award

In 2020, Rick and Morty secured its second Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program, underscoring its continued success and critical recognition.

May 20, 2021: Vindicators Spin-off Series Announced

On May 20, 2021, Adult Swim announced a short spin-off series centered on the Vindicators team, called Vindicators 2, previously seen on the episode "Vindicators 3: The Return of Worldender".

June 2021: Producers Confirm Hopes to Produce Feature Film

In June 2021, producer Scott Marder confirmed that the creators and crew hope to eventually produce a Rick and Morty feature film.

March 31, 2022: McDonald's Szechuan Sauce Returns Again

On March 31, 2022, McDonald's Szechuan Sauce once again returned to stores, featured as an app-only exclusive until April 4.

May 18, 2022: Rick and Morty: The Anime Spin-Off Announced

On May 18, 2022, Adult Swim announced a full spin-off series titled "Rick and Morty: The Anime", based on the anime shorts and directed by Takashi Sano.

July 2022: Release of Vindicators 2

In July 2022, the 10-episode series Vindicators 2 was released.

September 4, 2022: Season 6 Premieres

On September 4, 2022, the sixth season of Rick and Morty premiered.

2022: Wendy's and Adult Swim Partner for Rick and Morty Promotion

In 2022, Adult Swim and Wendy's collaborated to create commercials featuring Rick and Morty. Wendy's offered Rick and Morty-inspired combo meals exclusively on Uber Eats and brought back their "Portal Time Lemon Lime" soft drink to promote the series' sixth season. The promotion also featured a giveaway of Rick and Morty merchandise.

2022: Zack Snyder Expresses Interest in Directing Rick and Morty Movie

In 2022, American filmmaker Zack Snyder expressed interest in directing a Rick and Morty science fiction movie.

2022: Rick and Morty vs Dungeons and Dragons Deluxe Edition nominated for Eisner Award

In 2022, The Rick and Morty vs Dungeons and Dragons Deluxe Edition, by Rothfuss, Zub, and Little, was nominated for the "Best Graphic Album—Reprint" Eisner Award.

Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons: Deluxe Edition

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2022: Production staff files for union election

In 2022, the production staff at Rick & Morty filed a petition for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board, aiming to join The Animation Guild.

January 2023: Domestic battery charges against Roiland

In January 2023, Justin Roiland was charged with felony domestic battery and false imprisonment in Orange County, California, regarding an alleged incident in January 2020.

January 2023: Renewal Through Tenth Season Confirmed

In January 2023, it was confirmed that the long-term deal had renewed the Rick and Morty series through to a tenth season.

March 2023: Criminal charges against Roiland dropped

In March 2023, the Orange County District Attorney's office dropped all criminal charges against Justin Roiland due to insufficient evidence.

April 27, 2023: Hearing Scheduled for Roiland

On April 27, 2023, a hearing was scheduled for Justin Roiland in connection with felony domestic battery and false imprisonment charges in Orange County, California.

September 2023: Adult Swim Reveals New Voices in Season 7 Trailer

In September 2023, Adult Swim revealed the new voices of Rick and Morty in the seventh season trailer, without announcing the actors until the season premiere.

October 15, 2023: Season 7 Premiere and New Voice Actors Revealed

On October 15, 2023, the seventh season of Rick and Morty premiered, revealing Ian Cardoni as the new voice of Rick and Harry Belden as the new voice of Morty.

October 2023: Season 7 Premieres with Recast Roles

In October 2023, Rick and Morty's seventh season premiered with Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden taking over Roiland's roles amid allegations of domestic abuse.

January 2024: Production Delays Due to Writers Guild Strike

In January 2024, it was revealed that due to the recent Writers Guild strike, the eighth season of Rick and Morty would be delayed until 2025, though an anime series would still be released in 2024.