‘Smiling Friends’ Shocks Fans as “Burnt Out” Creators End Show After Season 3 Despite Previous Renewal

Adult Swim creators Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel announced Wednesday that their animated series 'Smiling Friends' will end after season three, despite the network having previously renewed it for two additional seasons, citing burnout after years of working on the project. The announcement came as a surprise to fans who had learned just last June that the animated series had been picked up for seasons four and five. In a recording posted to Adult Swim's social media, Hadel emphasized that 'this is not a bit' or 'a joke,' explaining that both creators had come to the same conclusion after completing season three. 'After we finished season three, Zach and I just both had the same feeling where we felt pretty burnt out after putting years and years into this, but also pretty accomplished,' Cusack added, noting that they simply felt 'like 'I think that could just be it after season three.'' The final two episodes of season three will air on April 12 on Adult Swim, though the creators clarified these are 'not big finales' but rather 'little rogue planets out there' created as part of the current season that launched in October. Cusack explained that they wouldn't want to hand the project off to other creatives due to their 'control freak-y' nature over it, though they did leave the door open for future returns. 'We could come back in the future and make more episodes if we want,' he said, adding that they would be open to working together on other projects. Adult Swim released a statement supporting the creators' decision, noting that they were 'incredibly proud of what Michael and Zach built' and 'grateful for the bold, boundary-pushing vision behind Smiling Friends.' The network emphasized that 'Smiling Friends simply wouldn't exist without the singular vision and ambitious creativity of its co-creators' and expressed sadness to see the series end while looking forward to future collaborations. Interestingly, during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in October timed to the season three premiere, the duo had already written two new episodes for a potential new season and had envisioned possibly ending after season five, comparing their approach to The Beatles ending on a high note with 'Abbey Road.'