Smiling Friends Ending After Season 3 Forces Creators to Recalibrate Plans — Two Final Episodes Set for April 12

The decision to stop production reshapes immediate plans for the show’s creators and the series’ future catalogue. Smiling Friends will end after Season 3, which changes a previously broader rollout and pauses momentum that included pickups beyond Season 3. Creators Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel framed the move as a deliberate close rather than an enforced cancellation, and two extra Season 3 episodes will still air on April 12.

What the end means now for the creators and the series

Blocking additional seasons puts a pause on an accelerated creative schedule and hands control of next steps firmly to the creators. Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel described feeling burnt out after years of continuous work yet accomplished enough to stop while they felt the show was strong. They emphasized that ending was their choice and said the network was supportive of taking a break; the pair also left the door open to return later if they decide to make more episodes.

Key announcement details and the April 12 addendum

Cusack and Hadel revealed the decision in a video posted to Adult Swim’s social account. They clarified that the two unreleased Season 3 episodes scheduled for April 12 are not intended as series finales but are leftover Season 3 entries — described by the creators as small, thematically separate pieces rather than a finale. The creators repeatedly stated they preferred exiting while invested rather than continuing half‑hearted work.

Earlier trajectory: renewals, season timeline and production notes

Earlier coverage noted that the series had been picked up for additional seasons beyond Season 3; specifically, the program had been slated for seasons four and five. Season 3 consisted of eight episodes and concluded its Adult Swim run on Nov. 30. The series originally debuted in 2022 and its most recent season launched in October. The creators had already written two new episodes for a follow-up season and had planned to reassess after season five whether it made sense to stop then.

• Debuted: 2022
• Season 3 launch: October (season launch timing)
• Season 3 Adult Swim run ended: Nov. 30
• Two unreleased Season 3 episodes to air: April 12 (not marketed as finales)

The micro timeline highlights how quickly the creators moved from producing new scripts to deciding to step back; that rhythm is central to understanding their choice.

Production footprint, cast, and parallel projects

The show centers on co‑workers Charlie and Pim — Charlie voiced by Zach Hadel and Pim voiced by Michael Cusack — and follows them and supporting characters like Flint on attempts to spread positivity. Season 3’s storyline continued that tone, with the cast and crew pushing the series into increasingly wild territory. The series is produced by Williams Street, the network’s in‑house production company, and has been one of the network’s top performers on the streaming platform outside of a marquee adult animated franchise. The creators have also been working beyond the series: they and producer Aron Fromm launched a Los Angeles–based independent animation studio, Zam Studios, in October. The creators urged other productions to consider hiring their crew.

Network response and the immediate aftermath

The network expressed pride in what the creators built and said it respected the decision to close out with the two remaining episodes on April 12, while remaining open to future collaboration. The creators acknowledged how difficult the announcement was to record and thanked fans for enthusiastic support and engagement, calling the experience a "ride of a lifetime. " They signaled that reviving the show later remains possible if they choose to return.

Here's the part that matters: fans will still get new content on April 12, but the planned multi‑season arc is now on pause while the creators step back to avoid eroding the show’s quality.

It’s easy to overlook, but the pair had anticipated an eventual stopping point: in prior comments they noted plans to reassess after later seasons and even joked about exaggerated longevity, saying agents expected many more seasons while they retained control over when to stop.

Writer's aside: endings decided on creative terms often protect a show's identity even if they frustrate audience appetite for more; that trade‑off is what the creators repeatedly emphasized.

If you’re wondering why this keeps coming up, the combination of sustained output, prior renewals, and the creators’ new studio work helps explain why they chose to step back now rather than later.