Rick & Morty’s New Voice Actors Make the Show Their Own in Season 8 | Interview

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Brandon Schreur, Senior Editor at ComingSoon, interviewed Harry Belden and Ian Cardoni, stars of Adult Swim’s hit animated series “Rick and Morty.” During their conversation, they talked about how they’ve developed their characters over two seasons, shared their thoughts on the possibility of a live-action Rick and Morty film, and covered many other topics.

Rick and Morty are returning for Season 8! Life has purpose once more! The possibilities are endless! Expect adventures featuring Summer, Jerry, Beth (and another Beth), maybe even Butter Bot with a new assignment. No matter what, Rick and Morty will bounce back. Many have tried, but they just can’t keep them down!

New episodes of Rick and Morty Season 8 premiere on Sundays on Adult Swim.

Brandon Schreur: In the second run of voicing Rick and Morty, have the initial concerns and questions about taking over these roles from previous seasons, specifically Season 7, subsided for you now that we’ve moved on to Season 8? Does this new season provide an opportunity to expand upon what you initiated last season and continue to develop your performances?

Harry Belden: In a way, I agree with that thought. Change, after all, is often met with resistance because it’s uncomfortable or uncertain. I recall feeling anxious about the future of the show, unsure of what was to come. However, Ian and I have found ourselves so immersed in our work that we hardly have the mental space or energy to worry about others’ opinions. Of course, we want the audience to appreciate the show, but ultimately, it’s our profession, and we’re committed and putting in our best effort.

We’re often our own harshest critics when it comes to our work, right? As both fans and actors, we strive for perfection each week. That said, I believe that with Season 8, we have more time and are a little more comfortable in our roles, which should be reflected in the quality of our performances.

Ian Cardoni: I believe that Season 8 allowed us to delve deeper into our characters, as we had a bit more time to develop and explore them compared to Season 7. With additional time at our disposal, we were able to experiment with more possibilities. The final versions of the episodes you see are the product of a collaborative effort from many people involved in this production.

Many individuals feel connected to Rick and Morty, not just the main voice actors, but also the entire team behind the scenes. Despite recording individually from the rest of the cast, we’re never truly isolated. We’re accompanied by directors, producers, writers, sound engineers, editors, animators, and countless other talented individuals who have been a part of this show for years. They are just as eager and thrilled to work on these new episodes as we are. While we may be a small piece of the puzzle, we understand that our happiness is intertwined with theirs and the fans’. So far, Season 8 has offered exciting adventures and fascinating content, which makes us equally joyful when the audience enjoys it too.

Absolutely! You’ve hit the nail on the head with your appreciation for the show. I, too, binge-watched the first three episodes of the latest season last night, and they perfectly embody the unique charm of Rick and Morty. The fun and excitement I experienced while watching has left me eagerly anticipating more. Can you share any insights or tidbits about what we can expect from the upcoming episodes? I’m really looking forward to diving deeper into this brilliant series!

Cardoni Previews: In the pipeline, and I’ve hinted at it already, so no major spoilers here, but I’m looking forward to another festive episode set in the library! Who knows if it might end up as a favorite people revisit annually? We have an intriguing twist planned. Also, there will be more of Jerry, which is definitely something to look forward to!

Absolutely! This season has a lot of Jerry’s character, and it’s even more evident in the upcoming episode next week. Regardless of your preferences for Rick and Morty, I believe that Season 8 will resonate with you in some fashion.

I’m really looking forward to it! The climactic Jerry scene this season has been on my mind for quite some time. One of my favorite moments from Season 8 was undoubtedly the one in that particular episode featuring you and Jerry. Remember the montage where we discovered what Morty had been up to in the Matrix? From enlisting in the army, to losing his comrades – I found it a brilliant portrayal of classic Rick and Morty, a scene that truly showcased your creative prowess and was simply delightful. Could you share some insights about the creation of that moment, and if there was any sense of anticipation or excitement when you first read the script?

Belden: Oh, yes. That’s right! I believe that was the first Season 8 script I received. I recall reading it at home, as I was still residing in Chicago then. When I reached the scene where Rick throws the beer, shattering the bottle on the ground, and Morty experiences a PTSD flashback, something about it struck me. I could foresee what was coming next, and it made me laugh so much. My partner wondered what was happening and asked, ‘What’s going on? What are you watching?’ To which I replied, ‘I’m just reading this script, it’s hilarious.’ I couldn’t wait to see it come to life in animation. It was a real treat for me.

I made an identical comment to yours: “This feels very much like classic Rick and Morty.” I shared this sentiment earlier today, but if we were to select any episode as the season premiere, I strongly recommend making it this one. It offers a perfect blend of all the series’ elements, making it suitable for both long-time fans and new viewers who haven’t seen the show before. In essence, it encapsulates everything that the series has to offer.

I’d also like to point out that, considering our current progress – relating to your previous question – in developing these roles and characters, the scene you mentioned, Harry, showcases your outstanding talent as you convincingly portray a stammer. Earlier in that scene, there’s a well-executed burp I’m particularly proud of. Standalone, if someone were to ask, ‘So, how is Rick and Morty doing in Season 8?’, and they saw only that clip, you’d be good because it satisfies the fans’ expectations and things are getting even better.

Completely on the same page with you. Regarding the recent episode titled “The Rick, The Mort, & The Ugly” – it was an absolute blast! I’d hate to give away too many details for those yet to watch, but it connects significantly with The Citadel. Do you believe there are more threads left unresolved in that storyline? Might we anticipate additional Easter eggs or episodes similar to this one focusing on the aftermath of everything that happened?

Cardoni hints that Season 8 will likely contain additional Easter eggs. Regarding the Citadel, he cautions not to underestimate the writers’ creativity. He recalls being surprised while reading scripts in the past, discovering connections and callbacks to previous events. For instance, he was taken aback when he first read the “Unmortricken” script and realized it would develop that storyline. Hence, he advises not to rule out any surprises from this creative team since they have a vast multiverse to delve into.

I found the various portrayals of Rick and Morty in the recent episode quite captivating. One of the highlights for me as a fan was encountering these diverse iterations during my earlier viewings too. The Citadel served as an impressive demonstration of how vast this multiverse truly is. To have the opportunity to explore within this creative playground is a long-cherished dream, and it was an enjoyable experience to try out vocal nuances for characters like Homesteader Rick and Boss Hog Rick. I highly recommend that those who haven’t seen it yet give it a watch; it’s not something you’d want to miss!

I’m a big fan! I have a broader query about the Rick and Morty show, particularly its animation style. In recent years, there has been a trend of turning animated shows or movies into live-action versions. For instance, Lilo & Stitch was successful at the box office, while How to Train Your Dragon is set for release soon and is expected to be a big hit. Given this trend, do you think Rick and Morty could potentially work as a live-action movie? Would you be interested in seeing it that way? Or do you believe it’s best to keep the show in its current animated format?

Belden: I find it challenging to imagine a full live-action Rick and Morty movie, especially considering the series’ unpredictable nature. If the budget allowed for it, perhaps, but I remain uncertain. As a fan of the show, I’d certainly enjoy such a production, yet I believe that if ever made, it might involve brief live-action scenes within an animated film, before returning to animation. However, the future is unpredictable with this show!

Cardoni: This pitch is quite amusing. I’d rather not debate about the constraints of this series, its characters, or the potential directions the writers could take. However, I must mention that being in the animated realm offers us a multitude of possibilities to delve into the multiverse. That’s essentially what has made us distinctive. I can’t pinpoint what fuels the cultural desire to traverse various mediums – it’s just enjoyable. If it expands the show, if it intrigues people, then more art is always better. The more content we generate, the better. As long as humans are the ones crafting it, I wholeheartedly support it.

As a die-hard fan, let me express my deep admiration for the phenomenal crew behind Rick and Morty. Although Rick and Morty are the stars of the show, it’s essential to acknowledge the hundreds of talented individuals worldwide, with a significant presence right here in California, who bring this animated masterpiece to life. Today, I feel compelled to emphasize that animation jobs in our vibrant California community deserve more recognition. As much as I don’t want to divert attention from these brilliant minds, we have plenty of seasons ahead and hope for many more. Therefore, let’s continue expanding the Rick and Morty universe while ensuring their exceptional work remains at the forefront.

Belden: Amen, Ian. I couldn’t agree more.

Cardoni: I’ll get off my soapbox, though.

Belden: Stay on it. I love it.

Have both of you started working on Season 7, but from what I’ve gathered, you were already fans of the series prior to joining. You seemed quite familiar with the characters and the show’s dynamics. I’m intrigued about how your lives have transformed since being involved in Rick and Morty. Does it feel like a significant shift in your thought processes now that you’re part of the production, causing you to occasionally think in the characters’ voices instead of your own while at home?

Cardoni: All the time. Our poor significant others who have to live with these guys.

Belden: Indeed! That’s spot on. Absolutely, days following recording sessions, I find myself speaking in Morty’s voice throughout the day, and it’s impossible to change. It’s strangely as if my life has been divided into before this and after this. Reflecting on the past can sometimes be a bit disconcerting for me.

Cardoni: Indeed, when I’m stuck in traffic, my Rick-like personality emerges. If you happen to swerve into my lane without warning, you’ll hear a less than pleasant tone from me. However, it’s worth mentioning that despite the changes in our lives, we can still visit the grocery store, which is comforting. We get to conceal ourselves behind the lively cartoon characters of the characters.

It’s clear that the assistance provided is spot-on! You can rest assured that there will be plenty more episodes of Rick and Morty. In fact, the series has been renewed all the way through Season 12. Its popularity remains unwavering, if not growing even more over time. Have you ever pondered whether Rick and Morty might eventually reach a natural conclusion, or if you’d prefer the show to continue indefinitely like The Simpsons? What are your thoughts on this matter?

Cardoni: The creators have indicated that this series has immense potential. If the writers and producers could view a timeline spanning a hundred years, then indeed, there would be no need for restrictions in this show. We can accomplish anything – I can achieve anything! We can venture anywhere. Essentially, as long as the storylines remain captivating and characters stay vibrant, we have boundless opportunities for extraordinary storytelling. To clarify, similar to Rick and Morty, the series could potentially endure indefinitely and maintain its popularity.

Thanks to Harry Belden and Ian Cardoni for taking the time to discuss Rick and Morty Season 8.

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2025-06-19 00:41