Adult Swim has officially given the green light to a second season of its standout animated comedy-thriller, ‘Common Side Effects’, just days before the climactic finale of its wildly successful debut season. The show, created by animation innovators Joe Bennett (Scavengers Reign) and Emmy-winning writer Steve Hely (Veep, The Office), quickly cemented its status as one of Adult Swim’s most ambitious and critically lauded original series in recent memory.
Featuring an all-star production team, including legendary duo Mike Judge (Beavis and Butt-Head, Silicon Valley) and Greg Daniels (The Office, Parks and Recreation) as executive producers, Common Side Effects expertly blends razor-sharp satire, edgy animation, and an intriguing, conspiracy-laced narrative into a package that feels as fresh as it is provocative.
The series centers on former high school lab partners Marshall (voiced by Dave King) and Frances (Emily Pendergast), who inadvertently set off a global firestorm after Marshall discovers a seemingly miraculous mushroom capable of curing any disease. As they attempt to share their discovery with the world, the duo finds themselves targeted by powerful, shadowy forces including Big Pharma corporations, the DEA, and international political figures—transforming their adventure into a surreal and comedic thriller that critiques society’s relationship with healthcare and corporate greed.
Notably, the show has earned widespread acclaim for its ability to cleverly comment on contemporary social issues while still delivering consistently hilarious and unpredictable storytelling. With a remarkable 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, critics have praised it for pushing adult animation beyond typical boundaries, highlighting its potential to spark deeper conversations around ethics in medicine, corporate corruption, and the regulation of groundbreaking treatments.
Adult Swim president Michael Ouweleen celebrated the show’s renewal by acknowledging both the creative team and passionate fanbase, noting, “Joe and Steve did their job by crafting a boundary-pushing and genre-defining piece of television that re-frames what ‘adult animation’ is capable of. And you all did your job by showing up on Adult Swim and Max to support the show and lighting up your socials to spread the word. So, see? We CAN have nice things.”
Bennett and Hely also weighed in, clearly thrilled at the show’s continuation, stating: “We are grateful for the enthusiastic response to Common Side Effects and are thrilled to continue exploring this world with our amazing team and the fans who have embraced the show. The opportunity to push the boundaries of animation and storytelling on Adult Swim is like a wonderful mushroom dream. Our goal with the show is to transform planet Earth and restore the human spirit. For now, we will settle for a second season.”
Adding depth and humor to the provocative storyline is a stellar voice cast, including Mike Judge himself as the acerbic pharmaceutical CEO Rick Kruger, Martha Kelly (Baskets, Euphoria) as unconventional DEA Agent Harrington, and Joseph Lee Anderson as the relentless Agent Copano. Danny Huston provides a sinister charm as shadowy villain Jonas Backstein, while Sydney Poitier portrays the calculating and influential National Security operative Cecily.
The Season 1 finale, airing this Sunday at 11:30 PM ET/PT on Adult Swim and streaming on Max the following day, promises significant twists and revelations, setting the stage for an even more gripping second season. Given Adult Swim’s history of nurturing uniquely creative projects—from Rick and Morty to Aqua Teen Hunger Force—fans can anticipate another innovative and daring exploration of complex themes in the forthcoming episodes.
Produced by Bandera Entertainment and Green Street Pictures, Common Side Effects is poised to remain at the forefront of animation that boldly challenges societal norms, marking Adult Swim’s continued commitment to groundbreaking storytelling.
