The giant, villainous sperm queen is a new character introduced in Rick and Morty season 5, episode 4, “Rickdependence Spray,” but who voices her? The Adult Swim series is well known for the many notable guest stars who have contributed their vocal talents to different episodes, and that trend has stayed strong so far in season 5. “Rickdependence Spray” also guest stars Kyle Mooney, Christina Ricci, Adam Rodriguez, and Keith David in his fan-favorite role as the President of the United States.
The story of “Rickdependence Spray” revolves around Morty using a machine at his mother’s horse hospital – intended to help get sperm samples from horses – to masturbate. That leads to a baffling science experiment through which Rick accidentally turns all of Morty’s sperms within the machine into giant, sentient monsters, led by a powerful queen. It’s in the running for one of the strangest storylines the show has ever featured, but it also isn’t without its moments of solid comedy.
Comedian Michelle Buteau voices the sperm queen in Rick and Morty, and there a number of movies and shows from which one might recognize her voice. In addition to her extensive stand-up comedy career, which includes the Netflix special Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia, Buteau hosts the Late Night Whenever! podcast and is the author of an essay collection called Survival of the Thickest. On screen, Buteau has appeared in films like Isn’t It Romantic, Someone Great, Work It, Happiest Season and Always Be My Maybe, where she played Veronica. Her TV credits include Private Robinson in Enlisted, Beck in The Tick, Bree Washington in First Wives Club, and Wrenita Butler in Tales of the City. Buteau has also appeared on shows like Key & Peele, China, IL, and Russian Doll.
Buteau’s sperm queen is the latest of Rick and Morty season 5’s already long list of bizarre guest characters. That list also includes Rick’s nemesis Mr. Nimbus (Dan Harmon) and the Captain Planet spoof character Planetina (Alison Brie). Given the show’s track record, there are sure to be plenty more wacky guest characters in season 5 before the final credits role.
It’s unlikely that Buteau’s sperm queen will return in the future, given that she is seen plummeting to her death at the end of the episode, but of course that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Rick and Morty has always done a strong job of bringing back more minor characters when the story calls for it, such as David’s U.S. president character. It should be interesting to see what other crazy characters feature in the rest of Rick and Morty season 5.