A new report from NBC News sees Rick and Morty co-creator and star Justin Roiland accused of sexual assault, with 11 women and non-binary people sharing implicating photos, videos, social media posts, emails and receipts with the outlet.
The following article contains potentially triggering material relating to sexual misconduct. If you believe you have experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct and are looking for support, consult the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime to find resources in your area.
Nine of the interviewees — all being Rick and Morty fans who communicated with Roiland over text, email, dating apps and social media between 2013 and 2022 — alleged that the animator and voice actor made their conversations sexual in nature, with three claiming they were 16 or younger when they began their correspondences (he referred to two of them as "jailbait" in their messages). Roiland's alleged pattern was to call them "super cute" or "hot," ask their age and sexual orientation — and, in some cases, to meet them.
A 20-year-old woman alleged that he took her on a Tinder date and sexually assaulted her, while another 20-year-old accused Roiland of taking advantage of her while she was intoxicated. The former incident allegedly took place in 2019, with Roiland asking the accuser to perform oral sex on him. When she said no, he allegedly pushed her head toward his crotch, and she eventually stopped resisting.
Screenshots see her confronting Roiland several months later, telling him that he hadn't handled their encounter "in the best way" and that, although it's "not black or white, verbal consent is [very] important." He responded, "Shit yeah, I didn't?? I'm really sorry! Fuck. That's not cool at all — jeeeesus. That is not me whatsoever… I literally didn't get consent??"
Roiland has denied the allegations, his lawyer Andrew Brettler telling NBC that they were "false and defamatory." These allegations come separate from the domestic violence charges Roiland had dropped back in March. At the time, he published a statement — which Brettler reportedly directed Variety to when the publication asked for comment — on the website then known as Twitter.
The following article contains potentially triggering material relating to sexual misconduct. If you believe you have experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct and are looking for support, consult the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime to find resources in your area.
Nine of the interviewees — all being Rick and Morty fans who communicated with Roiland over text, email, dating apps and social media between 2013 and 2022 — alleged that the animator and voice actor made their conversations sexual in nature, with three claiming they were 16 or younger when they began their correspondences (he referred to two of them as "jailbait" in their messages). Roiland's alleged pattern was to call them "super cute" or "hot," ask their age and sexual orientation — and, in some cases, to meet them.
A 20-year-old woman alleged that he took her on a Tinder date and sexually assaulted her, while another 20-year-old accused Roiland of taking advantage of her while she was intoxicated. The former incident allegedly took place in 2019, with Roiland asking the accuser to perform oral sex on him. When she said no, he allegedly pushed her head toward his crotch, and she eventually stopped resisting.
Screenshots see her confronting Roiland several months later, telling him that he hadn't handled their encounter "in the best way" and that, although it's "not black or white, verbal consent is [very] important." He responded, "Shit yeah, I didn't?? I'm really sorry! Fuck. That's not cool at all — jeeeesus. That is not me whatsoever… I literally didn't get consent??"
Roiland has denied the allegations, his lawyer Andrew Brettler telling NBC that they were "false and defamatory." These allegations come separate from the domestic violence charges Roiland had dropped back in March. At the time, he published a statement — which Brettler reportedly directed Variety to when the publication asked for comment — on the website then known as Twitter.
Adult Swim cut ties with Roiland in January of this year for the aforementioned domestic abuse charges. He was likewise dropped by Hulu, where he worked on Solar Opposites and Koala Man.
Rick and Morty Season 7 premieres October 15 with a yet-to-be-revealed new cast, as Roiland voiced both of the show's two protagonists.
