The Garden (animated series)
2023 TV series or program
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The Garden (Also known as The Garden Cartoon) is an American-Christian children's musical animated web series created in 2019 by Butch Hartman, who co-produced it with his wife Julieann. Released on January 1, 2023 on Pure Flix, the series centers around a duo of anthropomorphic animals composed of a lion named Lenny and a lamb named Lucy, who do a variety of daily tasks and receive advice from the Boss, a disembodied voice that is represented as a rainbow.
| The Garden | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Created by | Butch Hartman |
| Directed by | Butch Hartman |
| Voices of |
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| Theme music composer | Moon People Soundtracks |
| Opening theme | "In The Garden" |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| Production | |
| Producers |
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| Original release | |
| Network | |
| Release | January 1, 2023 – present |
Cast and characters
- Cristina M. Medina as Lucy the Lamb, Joy, Clarice, Benny, Queen Bee, Ellie
- James Arnold Taylor as Lenny the Lion,[1][2] Randy, Batmane, Porcupine
- Brian Stivale as The Boss, Captain Snappy
- Katie Leigh as Grace[‡ 1]
- Butch Hartman as Delivery Man, Mr. Toothacher, Cuckoo Charlie, Various Animals[3][4]
- Danny Gokey as Blake Drake[5]
- Raul Meza as Troops, Gallery of Bees[‡ 2]
- Jessica Weyman as Mitzi[‡ 2]
Episodes
Episode List 1. Truth is the Mane Thing / Where Your Treasure Is
TV-Y • 21 min • May 1, 2024
2. Humble Bee / Cloud Nine
TV-Y • 22 min • May 1, 2024
3. Prehistoric Papa / Finding Joy
TV-Y • 21 min • May 1, 2024
4. Banana Burgers / Stake Out, Fake Out
TV-Y • 21 min • May 1, 2024
5. The Wanderer / Spots and Stripes
TV-Y • 24 min • May 1, 2024
6. Rocket Riter / Lots of Lennys
TV-Y • 24 min • May 1, 2024
7. Double Trouble / Fish and Ship
TV-Y • 22 min • May 1, 2024
8. Amazing Space / Brush with Fame
TV-Y • 25 min • May 1, 2024
9. Shear Happiness / Party of One
TV-Y • 24 min • May 1, 2024
10. Seeds of Love / Three's a Crowd
TV-Y • 24 min • May 1, 2024
Production and release
After creating The Garden in 2019, Hartman planned to produce at least two seasons, launch a subscription-based app for the series in late 2022, create a VBS curriculum for churches, and illustrate a children's Bible published by Thomas Nelson titled The Garden Children's Bible, which was released in 2023.[6][‡ 3][‡ 4] The series premiered on Pure Flix on January 1, 2023.[‡ 5] Season 1 has since aired on The Garden Cartoon App, Prime Video, Apple TV, Angel, Google Play, and other streamers.[‡ 6]
Season 2 is scheduled to premiere exclusively on Angel with weekly episodes starting March 25, 2026.[7]
Films
The first compilation film adaptation of The Garden, A Garden Cartoon Movie: The Greatest Thing Ever!, had a home release in July 2025.[1][‡ 7] Angel Studios partnered with Butch Hartman to produce The Christmas King! A Garden Cartoon Movie, which was released later that year.[2][‡ 8]
Reception
Critical reception
Jose Solís of Common Sense Media said, "It's hard to resist an animated film that truly wants to entertain without talking down to its audience. In A Garden Cartoon Movie: The Greatest Thing Ever!, the filmmakers strike a smart balance between catchy songs, quirky humor, and simple life lessons."[8]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Voice Arts Awards | Outstanding Animation Character - Film or TV - Best Voiceover | Cristina M. Medina as Lucy | Nominated | [‡ 9] |
| 2025 | Faith in Film Festival | Best Animation | The Garden Cartoon, "Shear Happiness" | Nominated | [‡ 10] |
| 2026 | International Christian Film & Music Festival | Best Animated Film | The Garden Cartoon | Nominated | [‡ 11] |
| The Greatest Thing Ever! A Garden Cartoon Movie | Nominated |