Common Side Effects

Common Side Effects is an adult animated thriller-comedy created by Joseph Bennett and Steve Hely for Adult Swim, executive produced by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels through their Bandera Entertainment. The story follows Marshall Cuso, an eccentric, burned-out mycologist who discovers a rare mushroom capable of healing almost any ailment — even reversing death. When he reconnects with a former high-school classmate now working at a pharmaceutical giant, his miraculous find sets off a dangerous chase as powerful interests scramble to control, suppress, or exploit it.

Rendered in a lush, hand-drawn style far removed from typical adult cartoons, the series pairs paranoid conspiracy-thriller plotting with dry humor and surprising sincerity about health care, grief, and corporate greed. Dave King and Emily Pendergast lead the voice cast as Marshall and the conflicted pharma executive Frances, with Mike Judge, Danny Huston, and Joseph Lee Anderson among the supporting players, giving the show both comedic bite and genuine tension.

Debuting on Adult Swim in early 2025 and streaming on HBO Max, Common Side Effects became one of the most acclaimed animated series of the year, earning a rare wave of critical enthusiasm and a second-season renewal before its first season had even finished airing. It streams on HBO Max.