Creators of Hit Animated Series 'Smiling Friends' Announce Early Ending

Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack are concluding their popular Adult Swim show on their own terms after 3 seasons.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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In a surprise announcement, the creators of the hit adult animated series 'Smiling Friends', Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack, revealed that the show will be ending after its upcoming third season. The duo explained that they felt 'burnt out' after years of working on the project and didn't want to continue the show 'halfheartedly'. While fans are devastated by the news, Hadel and Cusack say they are proud of what they accomplished and are looking forward to collaborating on new projects through their recently launched animation studio.

Why it matters

The decision by Hadel and Cusack to end 'Smiling Friends' early, despite the show's popularity and Adult Swim's plans to continue it, highlights the creative freedom and control the duo were able to maintain over their work. This stands in contrast to other long-running animated series like 'Rick & Morty' that have faced criticism for becoming stale and overly commercialized as they've continued indefinitely.

The details

Hadel and Cusack, the co-creators and co-stars of 'Smiling Friends', announced in a surprise video that the show will be concluding after its third season, which just wrapped in November 2025. The two explained that they felt 'burnt out' after years of working on the project and didn't want to continue the show 'halfheartedly'. However, they noted that two completed, unreleased episodes will air on April 12, 2026 to help round out the series. Hadel and Cusack also revealed that they have launched their own independent animation studio, Zam, and will be collaborating on new projects in the future.

  • The third season of 'Smiling Friends' just wrapped in November 2025.
  • The final two episodes of the series will air on April 12, 2026.

The players

Zach Hadel

The co-creator and co-star of the hit animated series 'Smiling Friends', who has decided to end the show after its third season.

Michael Cusack

The co-creator and co-star of 'Smiling Friends' who, along with Zach Hadel, has decided to conclude the series and launch their own independent animation studio, Zam.

Adult Swim

The cable network that aired 'Smiling Friends' and has expressed support for Hadel and Cusack's decision to end the show.

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What they’re saying

“After we finished Season 3, Zach and I just both had the feeling where we feel pretty burnt out after putting years and years into this—but also pretty accomplished. We wouldn't wanna be doing more seasons, like, halfhearted. That's not fair to the audience, to give you guys fuckin' slop.”

— Michael Cusack, Co-creator and co-star of 'Smiling Friends' (Slate)

“The show got way bigger than either of us ever imagined: all the fan art, all the costumes, people sharing memes … every drunk guy in a bar that gets up in my nose.”

— Zach Hadel, Co-creator and co-star of 'Smiling Friends' (Slate)

What’s next

The final two episodes of 'Smiling Friends' will air on April 12, 2026, providing closure for the series.

The takeaway

The decision by 'Smiling Friends' creators Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack to end the show on their own terms, despite its popularity, demonstrates the creative freedom and control they were able to maintain over their work. This stands in contrast to other long-running animated series that have faced criticism for becoming stale and overly commercialized as they've continued indefinitely.