Smiling Friends Ending With Season 3, Creators Confirm

Smiling Friends is officially coming to an end.

Creators Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel announced Thursday that the Adult Swim animated hit will wrap with its third season. While the news came as a surprise to many fans, the duo says the decision was intentional — and made at the right time.

Two New Episodes Before Goodbye

There is a small silver lining. Two brand-new episodes of Smiling Friends are set to air on April 12 on Adult Swim, giving fans one more chance to spend time with Pim, Charlie and the rest of the gang.

Beyond that, however, the series as we know it is over.

Cusack and Hadel explained that they’ve said everything they wanted to say with the show. Rather than stretching it out and risking a decline in quality, they felt it was better to end on a high note. Though they didn’t completely rule out a future special, there are no current plans for additional seasons.

Ending on Their Own Terms

Interestingly, the decision comes despite strong support from the network. Adult Swim had previously renewed the show for two more seasons ahead of its third-season premiere, and the creators’ representatives reportedly believed the show could run for years.

But Cusack and Hadel had other ideas.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the pair discussed how long they originally envisioned the series lasting. Cusack previously suggested they would reassess after seasons four and five. Hadel even admitted that five seasons would likely be the upper limit.

Still, they ultimately decided to stop at three.

Cusack joked that their agents thought the show might go “to season 80,” but he and Hadel believe they know what’s best creatively. For them, it’s about preserving what made the show special in the first place.

Taking Inspiration From The Beatles

To explain their mindset, Cusack pointed to The Beatles. The iconic band famously ended their run with the album Abbey Road, leaving behind a tight, celebrated catalog of music rather than overstaying their welcome.

“Leaving the audience wanting more is the best,” Cusack said.

He also mentioned that if he and Hadel create another series in the future, it would allow them to start fresh — much like Paul McCartney did when he formed Wings after The Beatles broke up. That “reset,” Cusack suggested, can spark new creative energy.

What’s Next?

While Smiling Friends is ending, Cusack and Hadel confirmed they plan to continue collaborating on future projects. For now, fans can look forward to the final two episodes and revisit the show’s existing seasons.

Though the goodbye may feel sudden, the creators are confident they’re closing the chapter at the right moment — before the series became something less than what they originally imagined.