Smiling Friends, the hit animated series airing on Adult Swim, is set to wrap up after its third season. CNN's Yon Pomrenze breaks down why the creators chose to end the show despite it having already been renewed for two additional seasons.
Co-created by Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel, the series launched in 2022 and follows co-workers Charlie (voiced by Hadel) and Pim (Cusack) as they try to spread positivity to others. Despite The Hollywood Reporter reporting in June that the animated show had been renewed for two more seasons, Cusack and Hadel announced late Wednesday that it will conclude with its third season.
Reason Behind Sudden Announcement
In an audio message shared with fans through Adult Swim, Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel said that creative exhaustion and a sense of closure influenced their decision to end the series sooner than expected.
'This is not a bit,' Hadel said in the recording posted on Adult Swim's social media. 'This is not a joke. Michael and I are here to announce that Smiling Friends will be ending after season three is done.'
Cusack added, 'To be perfectly honest, after we finished season three, Zach and I both had the same feeling that we were pretty burnt out after putting years and years into this, but also pretty accomplished. We came to a point where we thought, ''I think that could just be it after season three.'' We both felt it was the right decision.'
Adult Swim expressed heartfelt pride in what Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel created with Smiling Friends, praising their bold, boundary‑pushing vision. 'We're saddened to see the series come to an end, but we fully support their choice to conclude it with the final two episodes on April 12,' the network said, adding that they look forward to possibly working with the duo on future projects.
What Comes Next For The Series
Hadel said the final two episodes of season three are scheduled to air on 12 April on Adult Swim, stressing that they are not intended as major finales but standalone episodes produced as part of the season that premiered in October.
Both creators explained they were reluctant to pass the series on to other teams, with Cusack noting how hands-on and protective they are of the project. He added that Adult Swim backed their decision to end the show and left the door open for a possible return in the future, saying they could revisit the series if they chose to. Cusack also said he and Hadel remain open to collaborating on other projects together.
The pair previously said they planned to reassess how they felt after a fifth season, suggesting that reaching that point might have felt like a natural time to conclude the show.
Although fans are shocked by the announcement, they remain hopeful for the duo's future. Many are wishing that, someday, they will return to the project, breathe new life into the beloved series, and give everyone the opportunity to enjoy fresh episodes while continuing the story that has captured the hearts of so many.
