Smiling Friends creators Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack have revealed the show is coming to an end after two more episodes – despite a previous renewal.
"This is not a bit, this is not a joke," Hadel began in a six-minute statement posted on Adult Swim's Twitter account. "Michael and I are here to announce Smiling Friends will be ending after season three is done."
Cusack explained, "To be honest, after season three, Zach and I both had the same feeling where we felt pretty burnt out after putting years and years into this, but also pretty accomplished. We came to this feeling where we were like, 'this can just be it.'" You can listen to the full video below.
An important announcement from Michael and Zach pic.twitter.com/wVGLap6yrcFebruary 26, 2026
Smiling Friends, which revolves around a charity's bizarre goal to bring people happiness, found success with its absurdist, irreverent humor and outlandish scenarios. Among its most recent viral exploits was a razor-sharp takedown of The Simpsons' longevity.
Making the situation all the more sudden and puzzling is the news – revealed last year – that Smiling Friends had been renewed for a fourth and fifth season.
But perhaps we should have seen it coming. The creators, upon the last renewal, had been open about not going "stale."
In a separate interview with IndieWire last year, Cusack said, "We don't want it to be a show that outstays its welcome and goes on forever…. Zach and I have made a promise to each other where we'll always be honest and say, 'Look, do we want to keep going with this, or do we want to wrap it up on a high note?'"
That high note, then, appears to be now. The final two episodes of Smiling Friends will air on Adult Swim on April 12.
For more, check out the new TV shows coming your way very soon.
