'Smiling Friends' Renewed for a Third Season at Adult Swim

Adult Swim confirmed on Thursday at the Annecy Animation Festival that the absurdist animated show "Smiling Friends" has been renewed for a third season. During the presentation, Adult Swim president Michael Ouweleen mentioned that co-creators Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack are already working on the new season.

(Adult Swim/Max/Smiling Friends)

In response to a fan's question, Hadel explained that the show is unlikely to feature darker or more dramatic episodes, emphasizing that "Smiling Friends" is meant to be a comedic escape. Hadel noted, "I don’t think Charlie and Pim could cry and anybody would care. It would just be annoying." He stressed the importance of maintaining a consistent comedic tone, similar to the experience of watching light-hearted cartoons after a long day at work.

Cusack agreed, praising other shows like "South Park" for their ability to handle serious themes, but stating that "Smiling Friends" is designed to be consistently funny and accessible. Hadel confirmed that the series will not adopt a serialized narrative, likening it to "the McDonald’s of TV."