Adult Swim’s Smiling Friends Renewed for Two More Seasons, Extending Cult Comedy to Season Five

Fans of Adult Swim’s absurdist animated hit Smiling Friends have even more reasons to smile. The cult-favorite comedy series, co-created by Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel, has been renewed for two additional seasons, bringing the total to five. The previously announced third season is set to premiere this fall, with seasons four and five already in production at Williams Street, Adult Swim’s animation studio.

Cusack and Hadel, along with Adult Swim VP of Development Cameron Tang, revealed the news during the show’s panel at the Annecy Animation Festival. Smiling Friends, which debuted in 2022, follows co-workers Charlie (voiced by Hadel) and Pim (Cusack) as they spread positivity in a world filled with quirky, often troubled characters.

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The extended renewal allows the creators to move beyond the core formula of “smiling friends” helping depressed characters, enabling deeper exploration of secondary characters and the show’s unique town. “We can make a whole episode about a secondary character and zoom in on them more,” Cusack told The Hollywood Reporter.

Popular secondary characters like Mr. Frog, who embodies the show’s chaotic spirit, and DJ Spit may return, though the creators are mindful of not revisiting characters who have already been “helped” to avoid creative repetition.

Cusack and Hadel cited the pilot and the season two episode “Gwimbly” as personal favorites, while also embracing episodes like season one’s “Frowning Friends,” which initially felt off but later became a fan favorite due to its quirky, deadline-driven energy.

Despite the show’s growing popularity, the creators remain a tight-knit writing duo, refusing to expand the team. “Every episode idea, every script, it’s really just Michael and I and whatever we think works,” said Hadel.

Season three will include a Christmas episode focusing on a lesser-explored character, promising fresh storytelling and innovative animation techniques. Cusack also teased guest voice appearances and experiments with new formats.

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With a passionate fan base, particularly among Gen Z viewers, the creators actively engage with audience feedback, reading thousands of comments following each episode’s release.

Looking ahead, Cusack emphasized that the series will have a defined endpoint. “We want it to be like a nice little box set,” he said, acknowledging the team’s fluctuating thoughts on how many seasons are ideal but affirming the commitment to avoid an endless run.

Smiling Friends continues to blend offbeat humor with heartfelt moments, maintaining its place as a standout in Adult Swim’s animated lineup.