Craig of the Creek | |
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Genre | |
Created by | Matt Burnett Ben Levin |
Developed by | Shauna McGarry |
Directed by |
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Voices of |
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Composer | Jeff Rosenstock |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 4 |
No. of episodes | 140 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Producers |
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Running time | 11 minutes |
Production company | Cartoon Network Studios |
Distributor | Warner Bros. Television Distribution |
Release | |
Original network | Cartoon Network |
Picture format | HDTV 1080i |
Audio format | Dolby Surround |
Original release | Pilot: December 1, 2017CN App) Series: February 19, 2018 (CN App & Online) March 30, 2018 (TV) – present | (
Craig of the Creek is an American animated television series created by Matt Burnett and Ben Levin for Cartoon Network. The show's pilot episode debuted directly on the official app on December 1, 2017.[1] The series premiered online on February 19, 2018, with a double-premiere event airing on March 30, 2018.[2] The series received mostly positive reviews from fans and critics.
On February 17, 2021, the series was renewed for a fourth season which premiered on October 25, 2021.[3] On January 19, 2022, the series was renewed for a fifth season, set to premiere in early 2023.[4] Additionally, a spin-off for Cartoonito, Jessica's Big Little World,[5] and an origin film titled Craig of the Creek: The Movie,[4] are currently in production.
In the fictional suburban Baltimore/DC area town of Herkleton, Maryland, a boy named Craig Williams and his two friends, Kelsey Pokoly and John Paul "J.P." Mercer, have their many adventures in the titular creek, described as a kid utopia of untamed wilderness in which tribes of children reign over tree forts and dirt bike ramps.[6]
Main article: List of Craig of the Creek characters |
The show's music is composed by Jeff Rosenstock.[7]
Main article: List of Craig of the Creek episodes |
Season | Episodes | Originally aired | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
First aired | Last aired | ||||
Pilot | December 1, 2017 | ||||
1 | 40 | March 30, 2018 | March 11, 2019 | ||
2 | 40 | March 18, 2019 | June 11, 2020 | ||
3 | 40 | June 21, 2020 | July 2, 2021 | ||
4 | TBA | October 25, 2021 | TBA |
The greenlit announcement publicly made on March 30, 2017 alongside other shows such as Apple & Onion and Summer Camp Island.[8] Matt Burnett also stated on his Twitter account that he and his team had recently begun production around that time.[9]
In August 2021, Trammell told Insider that the show's writing room is full of more than 40 people "all with different backgrounds and different experiences, who are willing to share those experiences."[10] He also said the show is different from shows where there is only one person of color in the writing room, stating that since their writing room is open "it never feels like you're the one representative."
See also: Cartoon Network and LGBT representation |
In April 2018, two lesbian characters were confirmed. In their debut episode, "The Curse", Tabitha refuses to go college and wants to spend time with Courtney. Courtney blushes, and they are holding hands in the end.[11] In "The Haunted Dollhouse", they have feelings for each other, which is confirmed, and they kiss.
In December 2019, it was confirmed that they had a non-binary character, named Angel José. Their voice actor, Angel Lorenzana, who also uses they/them pronouns, an agender storyboard artist for the show, confirmed this.[12] In later tweets, they added that their "cartoon self" used they/them before themselves, gave a shout out to the show's crew, and said that while this is a small contribution to LGBTQ+ representation, they hope "fans can take comfort knowing that there's also non-binary people working behind the scenes" on every of the show's episodes. Some praised the show for the number of non-binary characters, comparing it to the number of non-binary characters in Steven Universe, where every Gem is non-binary.[13]
Other LGBTQ characters appear in the show like J.P.'s openly lesbian older sister, Laura. In the episode "Jextra Perrestrial", She is shown to be in a same-sex relationship with a girl named Kat.[14] Laura is voiced by openly lesbian comedian Fortune Feimster. Raj and Shawn, Honeysuckle Rangers from a neighborhood nearby,[15] are implied to have feelings for each other in several episodes.[16] Raj is voiced by openly gay actor Parvesh Cheena. Also, the episode "Cousin of the Creek", Jasmine tells her cousin "I'm texting my girlfriend, mind your business."[17]
The season 4 episode "Fire and Ice" focuses on Kelsey and Stacks' relationship as they confessed their love to each other.[18]
On July 15, 2019, it was announced that the series was renewed for a third season which premiered on June 21, 2020.[19] It was later renewed for a fourth season on February 17, 2021, which premiered on October 25, 2021,[3] and a fifth season on January 19, 2022, which is expected to premiere in early 2023.[4]
On May 2, 2022, the show also began airing reruns on Cartoon Network's sister channel, Boomerang. [20]
The series made its international debut on Teletoon in Canada on May 3, 2018.[21] In most countries in Europe and Latin America, it airs on Cartoon Network.
Seasons | Episodes | Release dates | ||
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United States | ||||
1 | 2019 | 13 | March 19, 2019 Episodes: "Itch to Explore" – "Lost in the Sewers" | |
Australia | ||||
1 – 3 | 2021 | 120 | Seasons 1 - 3 DVD:[22] October 6, 2021 Episodes: "Itch to Explore" – "Capture the Flag Part 5: The Game" |
The series was received positively. Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media described the series as "appealing" with its "affirming messages." She also argued that the series had recurring themes of "creativity, joy, adventure, individuality, and self-discovery".[23]
Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
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2018 | Common Sense Media | Common Sense Seal | Entire series | Won[24] |
2019 | Annie Award | Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production | Episode: "Escape from Family Dinner" (Matt Burnett, Ben Levin, Shauna McGarry, Jeff Trammell, Tiffany Ford)[25] | Nominated |
2020 | Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Children's Animated Series | Nominated[26][27] | |
2021 | GLAAD Media Award | Outstanding Kids & Family Programming | Nominated[28] | |
Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Children's Animated Series | Nominated | ||
NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Children's Program | Nominated[29] |
On February 17, 2021, it was announced that a preschool spin-off series centered on Craig's little sister Jessica was in development. Titled Jessica's Big Little World, the new series is set to air as part of Cartoon Network's Cartoonito preschool block.[5] On January 19, 2022, it was announced that the series would premiere in 2023.[4]
An origin film, Craig of the Creek: The Movie, was announced on January 19, 2022.[4]