Dan Harmon says “Rick and Morty” is moving past a turbulent workplace period, as the show returns for Season 7

Dan Harmon said “Rick and Morty” has been through what he called “a great deal of turbulence” in the years surrounding Justin Roiland’s departure, and he now sees the production as operating from a steadier place heading into the show’s next stretch. Harmon spoke in an interview with Deadline that focused on both creative work and workplace conditions, framing the period as one in which the series had to confront claims and reestablish norms for how the show is made.

Roiland, a co-creator and star of the series, was ousted in 2023 by Adult Swim ahead of Season 7. Deadline reported that the decision came as Roiland faced domestic violence charges and additional misconduct allegations. The domestic violence charges were ultimately dropped, according to the same account, though the overall situation still contributed to a disruption in the program’s behind-the-scenes environment.

Harmon characterized the fallout as more than a personnel change, describing it as a moment that forced the team to reassess how the production operates day to day. He said the show’s workplace “overhaul” has been part of what has helped it move forward, with the production now focused on resetting culture rather than absorbing the same pressures that preceded the transition.

In the interview, Harmon tied his comments to the show’s current standing in adult animation, including its visibility as part of the Emmy TV contenders slate. The segment positioned “Rick and Morty” as an ongoing flagship in the adult animation space, while also acknowledging that the creative enterprise is shaped by institutional decisions, studio standards, and the consequences of misconduct claims.

Deadline’s coverage also pointed to Harmon’s “fears & hopes” for the future of adult animation, with the show’s internal adjustments presented as a key part of what can carry over into the next phases of the series. Harmon’s remarks suggested the production team has sought to maintain continuity in the creative mission while placing stronger emphasis on workplace expectations and accountability.

While Harmon’s comments focused on the workplace and production process, the central operational takeaway for audiences was that Adult Swim’s 2023 decision to remove Roiland preceded Season 7 and that the show has since been adjusting its internal procedures. The story’s most specific timeline anchor remains 2023 for the exit and the lead-in to Season 7, along with Deadline’s note that domestic violence charges were later dropped.

Deadline did not describe new legal actions against any party in connection with the interview, and Harmon’s statements, as reported, were framed as reflective and process-focused. The immediate next step for viewers is simply the program’s continued run as Season 7 approaches and the series remains in the awards conversation, with its production culture now presented as a central part of its continuity plan.