Latest news with #CommonSideEffects
Business Upturn
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Is ‘Common Side Effects' returning for season 2? Everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on June 18, 2025, 18:00 IST Last updated June 18, 2025, 11:00 IST Adult Swim's Common Side Effects has taken the animated world by storm with its unique blend of dark humor, conspiracy-driven storytelling, and surreal visuals. Since its Season 1 premiere in February 2025, fans have been buzzing about the possibility of a second season. Here's everything we know so far. Common Side Effects Season 2 Renewal Confirmed Adult Swim officially renewed Common Side Effects for a second season on March 28, 2025, just before the Season 1 finale aired. The announcement came as no surprise, given the show's critical acclaim, strong viewership on Adult Swim and Max, and enthusiastic fan support on social media. Season 2 Release Date Speculation While Adult Swim has confirmed the renewal, an official release date for Common Side Effects Season 2 has not been announced. Based on the production timeline of Season 1, which took roughly 18 months from its June 2023 announcement to its February 2025 premiere, industry experts speculate a potential release in late 2026, possibly around September or October. The intricate animation style and serialized storytelling require significant production time, typically 12–18 months for high-quality animated series. However, recent updates from the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June 2025 revealed that the first script for Season 2 is complete, and the team described the upcoming season as 'tight,' suggesting progress is underway. Where to Watch Common Side Effects Season 1 of Common Side Effects is available to stream on Max and airs on Adult Swim, with encore broadcasts on the Toonami programming block. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘The best thing I've seen in my life' – your top TV of 2025 so far
(Disney+) Andor is a cool, intelligent look at how fascism grows and the cost of resistance. It may be set in a galaxy far far away, but it is in an entirely different universe to any other Star Wars production. No lightsabers; no magic space wizards; barely a stormtrooper in sight – until the grim and horrifying mid-season climax. Who knew committee meetings and wedding parties could be so gripping? It's as though George Lucas placed the keys to his kingdom in the hands of John le Carré instead of Disney. Remember that fizz of excitement you got as an eight-year-old heading in to see A New Hope? Andor makes this 55-year-old feel the same way. Russell Jones, Cheshire (Paramount+) I love MobLand. It's Tom Hardy doing what Tom Hardy does best: playing the quiet and measured yet still highly intimidating and pretty scary fixer for an Irish mob family. The pacing is sharp and succinct without being breakneck; very on-brand Guy Ritchie, in the best way. Clare Kleinedler, Sierra Madre, California (Channel 4) The animated series Common Side Effects is not merely the best thing I've seen on TV this year but one of the best shows I've seen in my life. Why? The writing. The plot is superb: opposite to The Last of Us, it's about the discovery of a fungus that appears to heal all illnesses – but everything else about the show is grounded in the real world. The characters are nuanced and compelling. To sum up its virtues in a single sentence, it respects its audience. The fact that the show even managed to get made at all in today's political environment boggles the mind. Jude Kirkham, Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada (Apple TV+) I'm always years behind everyone else these days and I only found Severance after I'd run out of Slow Horses episodes. Severance offers a chilling theme of corporate control taken to the max, and features some brilliantly understated performances. There are echoes of The Matrix, of course, and – unexpectedly – Franz Kafka, but its originality shines through. A very good series indeed! Malcolm Armstrong, Gateshead (Netflix) Dept. Q is an English language adaptation of the first in a series of Danish crime novels by Jussi Adler-Olsen with labyrinthine plots and characters straight out of noir central casting. This adaptation moves the setting to Scotland, but loses none of the bleakness and despair with a small group of investigators trying to solve cold cases. Bring on season two! Niall, Dublin (Channel 4) It's bonkers. It's weird. It's a really mind-boggling mirror that Alex Horne has held up to himself and what may, or may not be, his own insecurities. Why does he write himself to be this pathetic? Why does his real life best friend play both himself and an evil hypnotherapist-cum-estate agent who can't stand to look at him? How are a bunch of middle aged men mucking around with instruments in a shed, taking dad jokes to the next level, this charming? It makes no sense on any of the many levels it operates on. Amanda Jeffrey, Birmingham (Prime Video) The Narrow Road to the Deep North is a brilliant adaptation of a brilliant Booker prize winning novel by Richard Flanagan. It's beautifully paced, deeply emotional, and marvellously acted. It moved me to tears, as did the book. Mark Smithers, Melbourne (BBC One/iPlayer) This was Liverpool's answer to The Godfather. The drama, the acting and the writing are magnificent. The web of crime and how it infiltrates the lives of ordinary people is portrayed brilliantly. I'm so pleased there is another series to follow. Teresa Curtis, Stockport (Netflix) It's wonderful to see this graphic novel classic by Héctor Germán Oesterheld brought to life. I did not know much about Argentinian cultural works, outside Ariel Ramírez's composition Misa Criolla (part of which is used here with electrifying effect) and this series made me want to know more about the country, its people and their struggles in the last century. They say that science fiction is an examination of the time it is written and this story, originally published in the 1950s, has been brought into the 21st century in a thought-provoking way. Viv Blagden, Somerset (Prime Video) Criminally unwatched by the masses, finally, this show has come of age, and the flashback episode (Rand's journey through Rhuidean) is hands down one of the best fantasy episodes ever. Unfortunately, the show was cancelled last month, just as it was finding its footing. At least we will always have the Rhuidean episode to comfort ourselves with. Stephen, Dublin (Apple TV+) Shrinking features an incredible ensemble cast and a stellar performance by Harrison Ford who plays a grieving therapist who decides to tell his clients what he really thinks. It provides a brilliant treatment of a difficult range of topics, and it's hilarious to boot. Penny, Lancashire (Netflix) Black Mirror season seven has been far and away the best ever – not a dud episode. In Bête Noire, Charlie Brooker takes the 'is the main character going mad?' genre and gives it a technological twist. The ending is preposterous but fun, and Rosy McEwen as Verity is quite the revelation. Des Brown, Newcastle upon Tyne (BBC Two/iPlayer) My Brain: After the Rupture is a documentary about the crisis faced by the writer and broadcaster Clemency Burton-Hill after she suffered a brain haemorrhage at 38 years old. Alongside The Last Musician of Auschwitz, it's one of the most extraordinary, deeply moving documentaries so far this year. Kate, Scottish Borders
CNET
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
I'm a Big X-Files Fan, and This Adult Swim Show Gives Major Mulder and Scully Vibes
I should admit something right off the bat: I'm not big on animation. There are some anime classics that I can hang with, and experimental projects like Love, Death + Robots will always appeal to me. I'm probably sounding like a jaded old man, but my cartoon tastes range from classic Looney Tunes to the craziness of MTV's Liquid Television. For a new animated release to strike my fancy, it really needs to grab my attention. I want something unique; a thought-provoking, creative swing that feels entirely outside the box. I get it. I am asking for a lot. All this said, Adult Swim's conspiracy thriller Common Side Effects floated under my radar when it premiered on Max this year. I was aware of its existence but paid the show no mind. With names like Mike Judge and The Office's Greg Daniels attached as executive producers, you'd think I'd have perked up. Well, I didn't. My watch-list as a TV critic is always crowded, and, honestly, my patience for trying shows like this is quite slim. Yet, one of my goals for 2025 is to fight the persistent urge to say no. So I eventually found it and clicked play. And hoo golly, I'm glad I did. Alan Resnick plays Zane, the drug-loving pet store owner in Common Side Effects. Screenshot by Aaron Pruner/CNET Common Side Effects centers on Marshall Cuso, an eccentric anti-establishment dude who goes out in public bare-chested and preaches the wonders of a special blue mushroom (known as the "blue angel"). It was discovered in the jungles of Peru and contains magical properties that can cure any medical ailment. When there's a limited supply of a wonder-cure-all mushroom, the possibilities of solving humanity's problems can boggle the minds of those striving to uphold the greater good. Unfortunately, there is also a collection of selfish, profit-minded opponents who have a considerable presence in the world. So if word got out about such a discovery, you'd have to expect Big Pharma, rogue criminals and special interests within the government would all come out of the woodwork to get control of the substance. Read more: Max Streaming Service Review: Loads of Content, but You Have to Make It Fit You Being a stereotypical recluse whose closest friend is a tortoise named Spartacus, Marshall is evidently dedicated to keeping this mushroom discovery close to the vest. Yet, after running into Frances (Emily Pendergast), an old high school friend he believes he can trust, he lets her in on his secret. Unbeknownst to him, she works for a pharmaceutical company named Reutical and is the right hand to the company's dopey CEO, Rick Kruger (voiced by the iconic Mike Judge). These events, which all transpire in the first episode, kick off a layered conspiracy that finds Marshall fighting tooth and nail to keep his mushroom safe from the power-hungry hands of greed that will eventually come to surround him. On one side, there's his potential relationship with Frances, which leads the audience to consistently question her motives and how their partnership could put Marshall in danger. On the other side are quirky DEA agents Copano (Joseph Lee Anderson) and Harrington (Martha Kelly), tracking Marshall's every move. To them, he's a domestic terrorist tied to the illegal drug world. You have a group of backwoods militia who align with Marshall's mission to grow this mushroom but they're part of the illicit drug world I just mentioned. Mike Judge voices Reutical Pharmaceuticals' CEO Rick Kruger in Adult Swim's conspiracy thriller Common Side Effects. Adult Swim Topping off this conspiratorial triangle is Jonas "the Wolf" Backstein (Danny Huston), the sinister owner of Reutical, whose influence impacts politicians, the FBI and other such government entities. Backstein is the epitome of bad guys. He's kind of like this show's version of the Smoking Man from the X-Files. Our would-be hero -- this harmless, unbuttoned, tortoise-loving man who just wants to help people -- ends up being a high-value target on multiple watchlists. His journey to save humanity turns into a race to save not just others' lives but also his own. All while opponents with ulterior motives consistently fire weapons at him, spy on his every move and erratically chase him down on the highway. The result is a riveting conspiracy thriller unlike anything I've seen in an animated series. Okay, here's where I do my best to quantify all the ways Common Side Effects is a success. First, I have to acknowledge the creative narrative skills of the show's co-creators, Steve Hely (who cut his teeth on comedies like The Office and Veep) and Joe Bennett (the man behind the beautiful, yet creepy, animated series Scavengers Reign). They put their heads together and blended their understanding of comedy, crisis, capitalism and conspiracy to create a program that taps directly into the zeitgeist. On the other side of the coin is the show's nature element. This aspect of the story recalls the type of science-minded individuals who journey into the jungle to find new medicines. Aside from the Ayahuasca vibe of it all, this component further examines the public's hunger to find alternate cures aside from what Big Pharma could be pitching, as well as digging into the negative cost these ecosystems undergo, all in the name of profit. I realize how heavy this all sounds. But, trust me, it's all worth your time. Common Side Effects does a fabulous job of balancing the drama with a steady flow of unique bits of levity. Through captivating animation sequences, like the ones depicting the mushroom's various types of hallucinatory drug trips, the offbeat relationship dynamics of nearly every character featured in the show -- the partnership of Copano and Harrington is an absolute highlight; pet store owner Zane is a laugh riot -- the unique synth-heavy score by Nicolas Snyder (which reminds me of The X-Files, as well) and the impeccably placed needle drops, the show delivers a storytelling experience that is equal parts thought-provoking and awe-inspiring. Oh, and it's fun. To offset all this magic, the creators found a voice cast that delivers an understated performance, which oddly elevates the story. These are actors who are not at all acting and what I mean by this is that everyone's dialogue has a flawed quality, which helps ground things in a relatable human way. The show embraces mistakes, stutters and deadpan inflections, which coincide with its rudimentary animation style quite well. As grandiose as the story becomes, these elements offset things in a welcome way while steadily building the emotional stakes. I never thought I'd connect so much to a shlubby mushroom nerd, but here we are. Joseph Lee Anderson and Martha Kelly play DEA agents Copano and Harrington in Adult Swim's conspiracy thriller Common Side Effects. Adult Swim With shows on Adult Swim, I have seen a whole slew of big creative swings that, to me, haven't fully stuck the landing. Common Side Effects is a breath of fresh air for the studio. It's original, enthralling and delightfully unpredictable. A surprisingly hopeful vibe permeates the story through all the drama and kept me glued to the screen. Simply put: This is one of the best sci-fi shows of the year. I'm not sure I'd have the same opinion if it were live action. I truly hope season 2 will continue pushing the story envelope and expand the miraculous canon of Marshall's mushroom mission. Until then, you can find me recommending the brilliance of Common Side Effects to anyone who'll listen. This is the hill I shall die on. It's that good, trust me.
CNET
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
I Watch a Lot of Sci-Fi, and This Mind-Altering Adult Swim Show Is One of the Year's Best
Before I get into it, I must come clean: I am not a big fan of present-day animation. Sure, I can get down with some anime classics and will always give experimental stuff like Love, Death + Robots a shot. But there's this unfortunate trend of cookie-cutter projects getting the green light with the goal of replicating the success of animated hits like Rick and Morty instead of giving risky, original, cutting-edge programs a chance to find an audience. All this said, Adult Swim's conspiracy thriller Common Side Effects floated under my radar when it premiered on Max this year. I was aware of its existence but paid the show no mind. With names like Beavis & Butthead's Mike Judge and The Office's Greg Daniels attached as executive producers, you'd think I'd have perked up. Well, I didn't. My watch-list as a TV critic is always crowded, and, honestly, my patience for trying shows like this is quite slim. Yet, one of my goals for 2025 is to fight the persistent urge to say no. So I eventually found it and clicked play. And hoo golly, I'm glad I did. Alan Resnick plays Zane, the drug-loving pet store owner in Common Side Effects. Screenshot by Aaron Pruner/CNET Common Side Effects centers on Marshall Cuso, an eccentric anti-establishment dude who goes out in public bare-chested and preaches the wonders of a special blue mushroom (known as the "blue angel"). It was discovered in the jungles of Peru and contains magical properties that can cure any medical ailment. When there's a limited supply of a wonder-cure-all mushroom, the possibilities of solving humanity's problems can boggle the minds of those striving to uphold the greater good. Unfortunately, there is also a collection of selfish, profit-minded opponents who have a considerable presence in the world. So if word got out about such a discovery, you'd have to expect Big Pharma, rogue criminals and special interests within the government would all come out of the woodwork to get control of the substance. Read more: Max Streaming Service Review: Loads of Content, but You Have to Make It Fit You Being a stereotypical recluse whose closest friend is a tortoise named Spartacus, Marshall is evidently dedicated to keeping this mushroom discovery close to the vest. Yet, after running into Frances (Emily Pendergast), an old high school friend he believes he can trust, he lets her in on his secret. Unbeknownst to him, she works for a pharmaceutical company named Reutical and is the right hand to the company's dopey CEO, Rick Kruger (voiced by the iconic Mike Judge). These events, which all transpire in the first episode, kick off a layered conspiracy that finds Marshall fighting tooth and nail to keep his mushroom safe from the power-hungry hands of greed that will eventually come to surround him. On one side, there's his potential relationship with Frances, which leads the audience to consistently question her motives and how their partnership could put Marshall in danger. On the other side are quirky DEA agents Copano (Joseph Lee Anderson) and Harrington (Martha Kelly), tracking Marshall's every move. To them, he's a domestic terrorist tied to the illegal drug world. You have a group of backwoods militia who align with Marshall's mission to grow this mushroom but they're part of the illicit drug world I just mentioned. Mike Judge voices Reutical Pharmaceuticals' CEO Rick Kruger in Adult Swim's conspiracy thriller Common Side Effects. Adult Swim Topping off this conspiratorial triangle is Jonas "the Wolf" Backstein (Danny Huston), the sinister owner of Reutical, whose influence impacts politicians, the FBI and other such government entities. Backstein is the epitome of bad guys. He's kind of like this show's version of the Smoking Man from the X-Files. Our would-be hero -- this harmless, unbuttoned, tortoise-loving man who just wants to help people -- ends up being a high-value target on multiple watchlists. His journey to save humanity turns into a race to save not just others' lives but also his own. All while opponents with ulterior motives consistently fire weapons at him, spy on his every move and erratically chase him down on the highway. The result is a riveting conspiracy thriller unlike anything I've seen in an animated series. Okay, here's where I do my best to quantify all the ways Common Side Effects is a success. First, I have to acknowledge the creative narrative skills of the show's co-creators, Steve Hely (who cut his teeth on comedies like The Office and Veep) and Joe Bennett (the man behind the beautiful, yet creepy, animated series Scavengers Reign). They put their heads together and blended their understanding of comedy, crisis, capitalism and conspiracy to create a program that taps directly into the zeitgeist. On the other side of the coin is the show's nature element. This aspect of the story recalls the type of science-minded individuals who journey into the jungle to find new medicines. Aside from the Ayahuasca vibe of it all, this component further examines the public's hunger to find alternate cures aside from what Big Pharma could be pitching, as well as digging into the negative cost these ecosystems undergo, all in the name of profit. I realize how heavy this all sounds. But, trust me, it's all worth your time. Common Side Effects does a fabulous job of balancing the drama with a steady flow of unique bits of levity. Through captivating animation sequences, like the ones depicting the mushroom's various types of hallucinatory drug trips, the offbeat relationship dynamics of nearly every character featured in the show -- the partnership of Copano and Harrington is an absolute highlight; pet store owner Zane is a laugh riot -- the unique synth-heavy score by Nicolas Snyder (which reminds me of The X-Files, as well) and the impeccably placed needle drops, the show delivers a storytelling experience that is equal parts thought-provoking and awe-inspiring. Oh, and it's fun. To offset all this magic, the creators found a voice cast that delivers an understated performance, which oddly elevates the story. These are actors who are not at all acting and what I mean by this is that everyone's dialogue has a flawed quality, which helps ground things in a relatable human way. The show embraces mistakes, stutters and deadpan inflections, which coincide with its rudimentary animation style quite well. As grandiose as the story becomes, these elements offset things in a welcome way while steadily building the emotional stakes. I never thought I'd connect so much to a shlubby mushroom nerd, but here we are. Joseph Lee Anderson and Martha Kelly play DEA agents Copano and Harrington in Adult Swim's conspiracy thriller Common Side Effects. Adult Swim With shows on Adult Swim, I have seen a whole slew of big creative swings that, to me, haven't fully stuck the landing. Common Side Effects is a breath of fresh air for the studio. It's original, enthralling and delightfully unpredictable. A surprisingly hopeful vibe permeates the story through all the drama and kept me glued to the screen. Simply put: This is one of the best sci-fi shows of the year. I'm not sure I'd have the same opinion if it were live action. I truly hope season 2 will continue pushing the story envelope and expand the miraculous canon of Marshall's mushroom mission. Until then, you can find me recommending the brilliance of Common Side Effects to anyone who'll listen. This is the hill I shall die on. It's that good, trust me.
Business Upturn
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Common Side Effects Season 2: Release date speculation, cast and plot details – Everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on May 26, 2025, 18:30 IST Last updated May 26, 2025, 11:39 IST Common Side Effects, the critically acclaimed animated series on Adult Swim, has captured audiences with its unique blend of dark humor, conspiracy-driven storytelling, and innovative animation. Following the success of its first season, fans are eagerly awaiting news about Season 2. With the show officially renewed, here's everything we know so far about Common Side Effects Season 2. Common Side Effects Season 2 Release Date Speculation While Adult Swim has confirmed the renewal of Common Side Effects for a second season, an official release date has not yet been announced. Based on industry trends and the production timeline of animated series, speculation points to a potential release in late 2026. This estimate considers the typical production cycle for high-quality animated shows, which often takes 12-18 months, especially for a series with Common Side Effects ' intricate animation style and serialized storytelling. Common Side Effects Season 2 Expected Cast The voice cast for Common Side Effects has been a highlight, bringing depth and personality to the show's quirky characters. While no official casting announcements have been made for Season 2, it's highly likely that the core cast will return, given the serialized nature of the story and the prominence of the main characters. Based on Season 1, here are the key players expected to reprise their roles: Dave King as Marshall Cuso : The cautious and knowledgeable protagonist who discovers the Blue Angel Mushroom. Marshall's journey is central to the series, and his return is almost certain. Emily Pendergast as Frances Applewhite : Marshall's former high school lab partner, now working to bring the mushroom's healing properties to the world. Her dynamic with Marshall drives much of the plot. Mike Judge as Rick : The distracted CEO of Reutical Pharmaceuticals, known for his phone obsession, voiced by the legendary Mike Judge ( Beavis and Butt-Head , King of the Hill ). Martha Kelly : A versatile voice actress whose role adds depth to the ensemble. Joseph Lee Anderson: Another key member of the cast, contributing to the show's rich character dynamics. Common Side Effects Season 2 Potential Plot Common Side Effects Season 1 ended with a thrilling finale titled 'Raid,' leaving fans with plenty of questions about the Blue Angel Mushroom and the conspiracy surrounding it. While specific plot details for Season 2 remain under wraps, creators Joseph Bennett and Steve Hely have hinted at continuing to push the boundaries of animation and storytelling, describing the opportunity as a 'wonderful mushroom dream.' The show's blend of dark humor, conspiracy themes, and social commentary on the pharmaceutical industry will likely continue, maintaining its unique tone. Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
