Fans of the popular adult animated comedy Smiling Friends are facing some bittersweet news: the show will end after its third season. The creators, Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel, confirmed the decision, saying they feel the series has reached a natural and high point and that continuing beyond this would risk lowering the quality.
First premiering on Adult Swim in January 2022, Smiling Friends quickly gained a devoted audience with its surreal humor, offbeat characters, and unique animation style. The sitcom follows a small team whose job is to help unhappy clients find happiness, blending absurd comedy with heartfelt moments that struck a chord with many viewers.
In a message shared on Adult Swim’s social media, Cusack explained that after years of nonstop work, the creative team felt both accomplished and burnt out. He noted that they didn’t want to continue the show half-heartedly or risk disappointing fans by extending it beyond what felt meaningful. Hadel echoed this, saying from the beginning they had hoped to end the series while it was still strong and leave audiences wanting more rather than dragging it out.
Although Smiling Friends will officially conclude with its third season, the creators left the door open for possible future projects in the same universe — such as specials or spin-offs — though nothing has been officially planned yet.
The final episodes of Season 3 are set to air on April 12 on Adult Swim. As fans prepare to say goodbye, many are celebrating what the series brought to animated comedy over its run.
