The Smith family is getting back together for more multiverse madness. Adult Swim has officially confirmed that Rick and Morty Season 9 will premiere on Sunday, May 24, 2026, bringing back the dysfunctional family audiences have loved for over a decade. With new first-look images released and a promise of “no AI slop,” the upcoming season is shaping up to be another wild ride across dimensions.
The show’s creative team is doubling down on what makes the series work: the chaotic chemistry between a genius alcoholic grandfather and his easily stressed grandson, supported by a family that somehow keeps surviving interdimensional disasters. Here is everything confirmed about the cast and characters for the new season.
The Core Duo Returns with Their New Voices
Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith remain the heart of the show, even with the voice cast change that happened back in Season 7. Ian Cardoni will continue voicing Rick, bringing that signature burping, slurring, scientifically brilliant energy to the character. Harry Belden returns as Morty, capturing the teenage anxiety and growing confidence of a kid who has seen way too many alternate universes.
The transition from original co-creator Justin Roiland to Cardoni and Belden happened during Season 7, and both actors have settled into their roles. Fans have largely accepted the new voices, and the creative team seems committed to keeping them for the long haul. The show has already been renewed through Season 12, so Cardoni and Belden will likely be voicing these characters for years to come.
Scott Marder returns as showrunner, a position he has held since Season 5. He executive produces alongside series co-creator Dan Harmon, ensuring the show maintains its signature blend of high-concept science fiction and raw family dysfunction.
The Smith Family Is Complete
No Rick and Morty season works without the rest of the Smith household providing that grounded (well, relatively grounded) counterbalance to the cosmic chaos.
Sarah Chalke returns to voice Beth Smith, Morty’s mother and Rick’s daughter. Beth remains a horse surgeon with serious daddy issues, constantly torn between her admiration for her genius father and her desire for a normal family life. Chalke also voices Space Beth, the clone (or is she the original?) who lives a life of intergalactic adventure while the other Beth stays on Earth. The Beth/Space Beth dynamic has provided some of the show’s more thoughtful moments, and Season 9 will likely explore that further.
Chris Parnell is back as Jerry Smith, the perpetually insecure father who somehow survives every catastrophe thrown his way. Jerry remains the show’s favorite punching bag, but Parnell brings a pathetic dignity to the character that makes him oddly endearing. Whether he is getting divorced, finding brief success, or accidentally causing an alien invasion, Jerry remains the most human (and most frustrating) member of the family.
Spencer Grammer returns as Summer Smith, Morty’s older sister who has evolved from a typical shallow teenager into a confident adventurer in her own right. Summer often joins Rick and Morty on their trips, bringing a different energy than Morty’s reluctant participation. She has become one of the show’s most consistently funny characters, unafraid to call out Rick’s nonsense while still enjoying the benefits of having a genius grandfather.
Fan-Favorite Side Characters Expected to Return
While Adult Swim has not released a complete list of every voice actor appearing in Season 9, several recurring characters are almost certain to show up based on the show’s history and the producers’ comments.
Birdperson (or Phoenixperson, depending on where the character’s story stands) will likely return, voiced by series co-creator Dan Harmon. Birdperson has been through resurrection, mind control, and more relationship drama than anyone deserves, but he remains Rick’s oldest and most trusted friend.
Mr. Poopybutthole is probably making at least one appearance. The character has become a fan favorite precisely because his appearances are unpredictable. Sometimes he is central to an episode, sometimes he just shows up for a few seconds. That randomness fits perfectly with the show’s chaotic energy.
Tom Kenny voices multiple characters across the series, including Squanchy and Gene, and will likely return to provide voices for whoever the scripts require. Kenny’s versatility allows the show to populate its universe with distinctive characters without constantly hiring new actors.
Keith David voices The President, a recurring character who has become popular enough to warrant his own spinoff series. David will star in the upcoming President Curtis animated comedy, which follows the Commander-in-Chief dealing with paranormal threats and interdimensional diplomacy that Rick cannot be bothered with. While not confirmed for Season 9 yet, The President usually shows up when the writers need a federal-level response to Rick’s chaos.
What the Producers Are Saying About Season 9
Michael Ouweleen, president of Adult Swim, seems genuinely excited about what the team has put together. He said, “I know it’s my job to say that this show just keeps topping itself, but it also has the benefit of being true. It’s kind of scary what this show unit is doing season over seasonโjust pouring an absurd amount of talent and brilliance into these episodes. From the first frame, you’re going to see great highโconcept insanity with some of the best character writing ever done. Again, it’s my job to say that, but it’s also true.”
The official season description from Adult Swim reads: “Rick and Morty is back, baby! Season 9 is all certified bangers. No AI slop! Just Grade A organic slop, made by real humans with real human traits like back hair and cysts. Please watch, or we’ll have neglected our families for nothing.”
That “no AI slop” line seems like a pointed response to concerns about artificial intelligence in creative industries. The show is emphasizing that real humans with real (and sometimes gross) human qualities are making these episodes.
Scott Marder addressed fan expectations in a Reddit AMA, saying, “I would say Season 9 will convince everyone we’ve got a full tank of gas left in us. The episode ideas are still REALLY flowing, and Rick still has plenty of mean left in him.” This comes after some fan criticism that Season 8 did not quite reach the show’s usual heights.
Release Dates and Streaming Information
Rick and Morty Season 9 premieres on Adult Swim on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at 11 p.m. ET/PT.
For viewers in the United States, new episodes will be available for purchase from digital retailers like Amazon, Apple TV, and Vudu the day after they air on Adult Swim. The season will begin streaming on HBO Max (soon to be just Max) starting August 31, 2026.
International viewers will get the season as well. The show debuts in over 170 countries in 42 languages. In Germany, HBO Max will stream the season starting May 25, 2026, with German dubbing available immediately. Kai Taschner returns as the German voice of Rick, Tim Schwarzmaier voices Morty, with Franziska Ball (Beth), Claus-Peter Damitz (Jerry), and Ilena Gwisdalla (Summer) completing the German cast.
UK and Irish viewers will see HBO Max become the new home for Rick and Morty starting March 26, 2026, taking over from Channel 4. Season 9 will follow on that platform after its US run.
What to Expect from the New Episodes
Plot details remain mostly under wraps, which is typical for a show that thrives on surprise. The first-look images released by Adult Swim show Rick and Morty in various states of distress, some alien landscapes, and what appears to be Rick holding what might be an interdimensional customs form. So basically, business as usual.
The show has always balanced standalone adventures with longer character arcs. Recent seasons have explored the consequences of Rick’s past catching up with him, the complicated nature of the Beth/Space Beth situation, and Jerry’s ongoing quest for self-respect. Season 9 will likely continue mixing those character moments with the kind of high-concept sci-fi that makes the show unique.
The producers keep emphasizing that the writing remains strong and that the creative team still has plenty of ideas. With 70 additional episodes ordered back in 2018 and renewals already through Season 12, the show is not slowing down anytime soon.
The Season 8 to Season 9 Transition
Season 8 aired from May through July 2025, so the gap between seasons is relatively short by Rick and Morty standards. In the early years, fans waited years between seasons. Now the show has settled into a more predictable annual or near-annual release schedule.
The production timeline for Season 9 has been smooth by industry standards. Writing was partially completed before the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, paused during the work stoppage, and then resumed after the strike concluded. Voice work started in July 2025, and by September 2025, the season was in post-production. Scott Marder mentioned in May 2025 that the season was “almost entirely into color,” meaning the animation was nearly complete.
That relatively relaxed production schedule suggests the episodes have been crafted carefully rather than rushed. The creative team has had time to get things right.
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