‘Smiling Friends’ Co-Creator Michael Cusack Sets Next Project, Netflix’s ‘Dad’s House’ With ‘Danger 5’ Duo Dario Russo, David Ashby

Smiling Friends has sadly come to an end, at least as it’s been delivered up until this year, but co-creator Michael Cusack already has another series lined up, this time at Netflix with a new adult animated comedy that leans into awkward, low-stakes chaos in a suburban Australian neighborhood.

The streamer today unveiled Dad’s House, a series to be headed by Cusack and co-showrunner/EPs Dario Russo and David Ashby, who previously collaborated on cult favorites Danger 5 and Italian Spiderman.

Animation is being handled by Princess Pictures and Bento Box Entertainment (Paradise P.D., Farzar), the latter a regular player in Netflix’s adult animation lineup.

Cusack is best known for Smiling Friends, but his credits also include creating Koala Man and YOLO. He has built a following on cringe, absurd timing, and characters who feel one bad decision away from spiraling. Netflix’s logline hints at a return to that proven formula: “In small-town suburban Australia, thirteen-year-old child of divorce, Sean, spends every second weekend with his laidback, but well-meaning dad, Ian. Cramming quality dad-time into a single weekend is already a tall order — but Ian has a remarkable gift for making it so much harder than it needs to be.”

Russo and Ashby bring their own cult pedigree from projects that thrived on tonal whiplash and retro absurdity. Netflix’s release was light on details beyond the logline, but combined with Cusack’s more contemporary internet-driven sensibility, Dad’s House could land anywhere between grounded suburban cringe and surreal escalation.

The showrunning trio will also voice characters alongside Felicity Ward, whose live-action credits include the Australian adaptation of The Office and Wakefield.