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Season 3 will mark the conclusion of the animated series Smiling Friends, as confirmed by the show’s creators and voice talents, Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel.
On Wednesday, February 25, Adult Swim’s X account released a video labeled as an “important announcement,” where Cusack and Hadel shared the news that their comedy series would be ending. They emphasized that this decision was genuine and not a comedic stunt.
“Michael and I are here to announce that Smiling Friends will be ending after Season 3 is complete,” Hadel stated.
Although recognizing the disappointment this announcement might bring, Cusack provided insight into their decision to conclude the series.
“To be perfectly honest, after wrapping up Season 3, Zach and I both felt quite burnt out after dedicating years to this project,” Cusack explained. “However, we also felt a sense of accomplishment. It just seemed that after Season 3, it was the right time to conclude. We both agreed it was the right decision.”
Hadel added, “Even from the very, very beginning of the show, we knew we always said, ‘Oh man, how great would it be to really try to make this show as good as it can be and really put 110% into it, and then go [out on] what feels like on top?’ What feels like leaving wanting more as opposed to, ‘Oh, that show is still on the air?’”
“After several years of really really grinding on this show, non-stop without any breaks, 24/7, we got to a point where we just felt like a good spot to end it,” Hadel highlighted, noting that it would be unfair to give fans “half-hearted” or “burnt out” new seasons.
Plus, Cusack said it “would feel too weird” to hand the show over to other writers in order for it to live on, teasing that they’re “so control freaky over it.”
“It’s very weird to do this, but this was our decision,” Cusack shared. “Adult Swim are very supportive. When we told them exactly this, they said, ‘If you’re not feeling making a cartoon, we’re not going to stop you. Go have a break. Either come back or don’t.’”
Cusack said the door is open for them to “come back in the future and make more episodes” if they would like, though they will “have to determine that in the future.” He also specified that this is “not the end” of the duo’s collaboration.
The third season of Smiling Friends premiered in October 2025. While the season was originally announced as having eight episodes, all of which are currently streaming on HBO Max, Cusack and Hadel revealed that there are “two extra episodes of Smiling Friends” premiering on Adult Swim at 11 p.m. on Saturday, April 12. The two said that these new episodes “are not finales” and are “part of Season 3.”
The duo concluded by praising the show’s fans and its crew, signing off with the Looney Tunes’ signature line, “That’s all, folks.”
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