So, you’ve binged Common Side Effects. Maybe twice. Maybe three times. Don’t worry, we’re not judging—just nodding knowingly. With its slick mix of conspiracy, surrealism, and genuine heart, the Adult Swim original has become a surprise powerhouse. And now, with Season 2 locked and loaded, fans are starting to ask: what’s next? Is there more mushroom madness on the horizon?
Could the Common Side Effects universe stretch its limbs into spin-offs, shorts, or—dare we dream—an official webcomic? Nothing’s confirmed (yet), but the spores of speculation are already in the air.
Let’s Recap: The Mushroom Miracle That Sparked It All
In case you’ve been living under a rock—or maybe just behind a pile of expired Reutical meds—here’s the setup: Common Side Effects follows Marshall and Frances, two estranged lab partners, who reunite and stumble onto a literal miracle mushroom. This little fungus doesn’t just soothe your backache. It cures pretty much everything. But, of course, there’s a catch. Or rather, a lot of them.
Big Pharma wants it buried. So does the government. So do a few mysterious strangers with very specific briefcases. And suddenly, our heroes find themselves neck-deep in corporate corruption, underground labs, and one very opinionated tortoise named Socrates.
Season 2 Is Coming—But What Comes After That?
Here’s what we do know. Common Side Effects made such a strong impact that Adult Swim renewed it for Season 2 before Season 1 even wrapped. That’s some rare fungus-fueled confidence right there. And creators Joe Bennett and Steve Hely seem just as excited to keep going.
In interviews, they haven’t spilled much about future plots. But they’ve hinted at bigger ambitions. The world they’ve built clearly has room to grow. So the question becomes: how might it expand?
Spin-Off Gold: Who Deserves Their Own Story?
Let’s be real. There are at least a dozen side characters who could absolutely carry their own show—or at least a five-minute short. Here are just a few ideas we’d greenlight in a heartbeat:
- “Socrates: Free Range” — A day in the life of our mushroom-munching tortoise. Think: less drama, more salads and silent judgment.
- “Reutical: Origins” — A gritty prequel diving deep into the early, sketchy days of the pharmaceutical empire.
- “Capano & Harrington: DEA Files” — Picture this: a mismatched buddy cop comedy where the real villains are…legal loopholes.
There’s so much material to mine. Even a short animated mini-episode here and there could keep the fandom fed between seasons.
Adult Swim Loves Its Extras
Now, let’s shift gears. If you know Adult Swim, you know they love extra content. We’re talking behind-the-scenes videos, surprise shorts, digital tie-ins—you name it. While Common Side Effects hasn’t officially gotten this treatment yet, history suggests it’s only a matter of time.
In fact, it wouldn’t be out of character for them to:
- Drop an interactive website for Reutical Pharmaceuticals.
- Launch a webcomic teasing hidden side plots or giving us more time with our favorite weirdos.
- Release behind-the-scenes footage with the creators and animators that show off how the chaos gets crafted.
No confirmation yet, but the potential is huge. And given the show’s growing popularity, fan demand could absolutely push these ideas into reality.
Dream Bigger: A Whole Expanded Universe?
What if we’re just seeing the tip of the iceberg lettuce (yes, that’s a Socrates joke)? Think about it. The show’s mix of mystery, corporate satire, and wild animation styles sets it up perfectly for expansion.
We could get:
- Standalone specials focused on single events hinted at in Season 1.
- A podcast series hosted in-universe by a conspiracy theorist.
- A motion comic diving into the old classified experiments connected to the mushrooms.
Okay, now we’re fan-fictioning. But can you blame us? When a show plants a world this rich, the mind just keeps wandering.
Signs from the Creators
Now, to keep things grounded—Bennett and Hely haven’t confirmed any spin-offs or side projects. They’ve mostly played it coy, keeping details close to the chest. But in recent interviews, they’ve emphasized how much more story they have to tell. They’ve also joked about the bizarre world they’re building, which definitely leaves room for creative detours.
So while nothing’s official, the door feels wide open. And Adult Swim isn’t exactly shy when it comes to experimenting with formats.
What’s Next in the Fungus Frontier?
With Season 2 on the way and a growing cult fanbase, Common Side Effects has all the makings of an Adult Swim staple. One that doesn’t just survive, but thrives—with shorts, digital extras, and maybe even spin-offs that grow wild and strange in the corners of the main plot.
Until then? We’ll keep rewatching Socrates’ best moments and scanning every Reutical memo for Easter eggs.
Because if there’s one thing Common Side Effects has taught us, it’s this:
Trust the mushroom. Just maybe don’t trust the people selling it.
