Let’s be real: the internet went into a total meltdown when Adult Swim finally cut ties with Justin Roiland. For nearly a decade, Roiland wasn't just a creator; he was the literal breath in Morty Smith’s lungs. When the news broke in early 2023 that he was being replaced following serious legal allegations, everyone asked the same thing. Who could possibly replicate that specific, cracking, high-pitched "Aw geez" without making the show feel like a cheap knockoff?
It felt impossible. Honestly, most fans expected a disaster.
Then Season 7 premiered, and the mystery ended. The new voice actor for Morty is Harry Belden. If you didn't notice a massive shift in the character's soul, that was exactly the point. Adult Swim didn't want a "new take" on Morty; they wanted a seamless transition that preserved the show's massive commercial ecosystem. Belden, a relatively unknown actor before this gig, stepped into one of the most scrutinized roles in animation history. He didn't just land a job; he inherited a legacy clouded by controversy.
How Harry Belden Became the Voice Actor for Morty
The search for the new Morty Smith wasn't some quick weekend audition. It was a grueling, months-long marathon. Showrunner Scott Marder described the process as an "exhaustive" search that looked at thousands of candidates. They weren't just looking for a celebrity who could "do a voice." They needed a soundalike who could handle the emotional range of a character who oscillates between stuttering cowardice and existential rage.
Belden’s story is actually kind of a classic "big break" scenario. Before Rick and Morty, his resume included smaller roles in shows like Joe Pera Talks with You and Chicago Med. He wasn't a household name. That was likely a strategic choice by the network. By hiring a talented but lesser-known actor, Adult Swim ensured the focus stayed on the character, not the person behind the microphone.
He actually spent weeks practicing the "Morty stutter." It’s not just about the pitch; it’s about the rhythm. Morty’s speech is erratic. It’s filled with "umms" and "ahhs" that feel reactive rather than scripted. Belden had to study the specific way Roiland used air to create that nervous, shaky quality.
The Soundalike Strategy: Why Total Mimicry Won Out
Usually, when a show replaces a lead actor, they try to justify it within the plot. Think of Doctor Who or even the weird "recasting" jokes in Fresh Prince. But for Rick and Morty, the producers chose total continuity. They didn't want a "multiverse" excuse for why Morty sounded different.
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They wanted you to forget the voice actor had changed at all.
This is a fascinating pivot in how we view voice acting. In the past, the "Star Power" of a voice often sold the show. Here, the character is the brand. Belden (alongside Ian Cardoni, who took over as Rick) was tasked with being a ghost—a perfect reflection of what came before.
Some fans claim they can hear a difference in the "screams." Roiland’s Morty screams were famously throat-shredding. Belden’s are remarkably close, but there’s a slightly different texture to the sustained notes. Does it matter? To the casual viewer watching on Max or Adult Swim, probably not. To the die-hards on Reddit? It’s a topic of endless debate.
The Technical Grind of Recording Morty
Recording Morty Smith is physically demanding. Seriously. The character spends a significant amount of time being stressed, out of breath, or sobbing. Belden has spoken in interviews about the "vocal health" routines required to keep his voice from blowing out during a recording session.
- Hydration is non-negotiable.
- Vocal warm-ups take hours.
- The "Morty Voice" sits high in the throat.
When you're trying to match a specific "stutter cadence," you can't just read the script. You have to inhabit the anxiety. Belden basically has to give himself a minor panic attack every time he enters the booth to get that authentic Morty vibration.
Why the Recasting Was So Controversial (Beyond the Legal Stuff)
We can't talk about the voice actor for Morty without acknowledging the elephant in the room. Justin Roiland co-created the show. He was the "voice" in a literal and creative sense. When Adult Swim fired him, they weren't just replacing a staff member; they were excising the person who defined the show’s improvisational tone.
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The controversy wasn't just about whether the new guy would sound right. It was about whether the soul of the show would survive. Roiland’s performance was often off-the-cuff. Those weird burps and stutters in the early seasons? Often real.
Belden has to mimic "simulated" improvisation. He’s reading lines designed to sound like someone is making them up on the spot. It’s a layer of artifice that wasn't there before. Surprisingly, Season 7 and Season 8 have proven that the writing room—led by Dan Harmon—is more than capable of carrying the weight. The show has actually become more structured, leaning less on "randomness" and more on character growth.
The Future of Morty Smith and Harry Belden
So, where does Belden go from here? He’s locked in. With Rick and Morty having a massive 70-episode order from years back (which they are still working through), Belden has job security that most actors would kill for.
He’s also starting to put his own subtle stamp on the role. While he started as a pure mimic, as the episodes progress, you can feel him becoming more comfortable with Morty’s "hero moments." Morty is growing up. He’s less of a punching bag than he was in Season 1. Belden’s performance reflects that growing confidence, even if the voice remains that familiar, high-pitched squeak.
Interestingly, the show hasn't collapsed. Ratings remained steady enough for the network to feel validated in their choice. The "Great Recasting" of 2023 will likely be studied by TV historians as a masterclass in brand preservation. They proved that a character can be bigger than its creator.
Key Facts About the Transition
If you're looking for the quick "who's who" of the current era, it's pretty straightforward now. Harry Belden is Morty. Ian Cardoni is Rick. They both landed the roles after an international casting call. Neither of them were "celebrity" picks. They were chosen because they were the best at being Rick and Morty.
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- Selection: Over thousands of tapes were reviewed.
- Secrecy: The actors’ names weren't revealed until the Season 7 premiere.
- Longevity: Both actors are expected to voice the characters through at least Season 10.
How to Tell the Difference (If You’re Obsessive)
If you really want to spot the new voice actor for Morty in action, listen to the "emotional" monologues. Roiland’s Morty had a very specific way of trailing off at the end of sentences—a sort of breathy whistle. Belden is more precise. He hits the consonants a little harder.
Also, look at the "Morty Crying" scenes. Crying is incredibly hard to fake in a specific voice. Belden does an admirable job, but the "sob" has a slightly different pitch. It’s the kind of thing you only notice if you’ve watched the "Interdimensional Cable" episodes fifty times.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Voice Actors
If you're following this saga because you love the show, or because you're a voice actor yourself, there are a few things to take away from Harry Belden’s journey:
For Fans: Accept the New Normal.
The show is different now, but not because of the voice. The writing has shifted toward a more serialized, "canonical" approach. If you find yourself disliking an episode, ask if it’s really the voice, or if it’s just the natural evolution of a show that’s been on the air for over a decade.
For Aspiring VOs: Mimicry is a Valid Skill.
Many people look down on "soundalikes," but Harry Belden’s career changed forever because he could accurately reproduce someone else's work. Study the "prosody" of a character—the rhythm, the pitch, and the breath.
Watch for Season 9 and 10 Developments.
The production cycle for Rick and Morty is long. We are only just beginning to see how Belden handles the long-term evolution of Morty. As the character potentially ages or changes, Belden will have to decide how much of the "old" Morty to keep and how much of his own "new" Morty to inject.
The transition is over. The dust has settled. Harry Belden is the voice of Morty Smith, and honestly? He's doing a great job. The show survived its biggest crisis, and the stuttering, neurotic grandson we all love is in safe hands. Keep an eye on the credits of upcoming seasons to see if Belden starts branching out into other voices within the show, much like Roiland used to do. That will be the real test of his integration into the Rick and Morty multiverse.
Check out the latest episodes on Adult Swim or Max to hear the nuance for yourself. The "gee-z" count hasn't dropped a bit.