Smiling Friends Creators Say Show Will End After Season 3
Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel announced in a video posted to Adult Swim's X account that smiling friends will end after its third season, and the network will air two unreleased Season 3 episodes on April 12 at 11 p. m. ET.
Smiling Friends creators deliver the news on Adult Swim’s X post
The announcement came in a short recording that opened with Hadel saying, "I'm gonna cut right to the chase, " and stressing, "This is not a bit, this is not a joke. " Hadel and Cusack said they reached the decision together after finishing Season 3; Cusack said they felt both "pretty burnt out" and "pretty accomplished" after putting years into the show.
Two final Season 3 episodes set for April 12 at 11 p. m. ET
The pair said Adult Swim will premiere two additional Season 3 installments on April 12 at 11 p. m. ET. Hadel clarified the episodes are "not finales, " calling them "little stragglers" that didn't make the initial rollout and elsewhere describing them as "little rogue planets" that were created as part of the season that launched in October.
Creators cite burnout and a desire to leave on a high note
Cusack said the choice was "our decision, " adding that they did not want to continue the series half-heartedly. Hadel said from the start they wanted to put "110%" into the show and "go out on top, " arguing it was better to leave fans "wanting more" than to keep producing work they felt was compromised.
Show had been picked up for seasons four and five, creators had written more
Despite earlier plans—the show had previously been picked up for seasons four and five—Cusack and Hadel said they are stepping away. The pair had already written two episodes for a new season and had discussed evaluating the series after a potential Season 5, but they concluded ending after Season 3 was right for them.
On creative control and the possibility of returning
Cusack said the duo would not want to hand the project off to other creatives, calling themselves "so control freak-y over it. " He also said Adult Swim has been supportive, relaying the network's message: "If you're not feeling like making a cartoon, we're not going to stop you. Go have a break. Either come back or don't. " The creators left open the possibility of returning in another form—specials or occasional episodes—if they choose to in the future.
Where the show stands and what viewers can expect next
The animated series, which debuted in 2022 and centers on co-workers Charlie (voiced by Hadel) and Pim (Cusack) trying to bring positivity into others' lives, will conclude its run with the completed Season 3 order. Cusack acknowledged fans will be disappointed and said recording the announcement was difficult; both creators thanked fans for their support and described the experience as "the ride of a lifetime. " Adult Swim expressed pride in the series and respect for the creators' decision to close the show with the two remaining episodes on April 12 at 11 p. m. ET.
For now, viewers can mark April 12 at 11 p. m. ET for the two unaired Season 3 episodes; beyond that, Cusack and Hadel said they may collaborate on future projects or return to this universe if they feel inspired to do so.
