Craig of the Creek is an Americananimated sitcom created by Matt Burnett and Ben Levin forCartoon Network. The show's pilot episode debuted directly on December 1, 2017.[1] The series premiered online on February 19, 2018, with a double-premiere event airing on March 30, 2018.[2]
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, which premiered on July 10, 2023.[4] Additionally, a spin-offJessica's Big Little World,[5] and an origin film orprequel titledCraig Before the Creek,[4] have been released.
In October 2022, it was announced that the fifth season of the series would be cut in half byWarner Bros. Discovery.[6] In December 2022, it was announced the show's final episode had been written, and that seven episodes were cut from the fifth season;[7] however, it was announced that the second half of the fifth season would become the sixth and final season of the series, which started airing on June 1, 2024.[8] Theseries finale aired on January 25, 2025.
In the fictional suburbanBaltimore-DC area town of Herkleton,Maryland, a boy named Craig Williams and his two friends, Kelsey Pokoly and "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.[9]
Craig Williams (voiced by Philip Solomon) – A 10-year-oldAfrican-American boy who enjoys playing at the creek with his friends, Kelsey and J.P. He is a natural leader and always tries to help other kids when they need it the most. He has a colorful family that has been the focus of several episodes (such as "King of Camping"). Craig typically carries a homemade staff and a purse, each holding sentimental value. In "Escape From Family Dinner," it is shown that Craig takes advanced math and admits that he likes the class. He also takes on the role of acartographer as he is constantly making additions to his detailed map of the Creek.
Kelsey Pokoly (voiced by Georgie Kidder (pilot; season 1, episodes 1–3),Noël Wells (season 1, episodes 4–180) – A ginger-haired, 9-year-old girl who is one of Craig's close friends. She is always seen wearing a purple cape and has a petbudgerigar (which she identifies as a falcon) named Mortimor who is usually perched on top of her head. She typically carries a homemadePVC pipe sword which she proudly made herself partly with the help of a blacksmith. She and her family are implied to beHungarian in "The Invitation" and "The Last Kid in the Creek" due to her knowledge ofHungarian cuisine; Pokoly, her family name, is likely derived from the Hungarian word "pokoli," meaning "hellish." She is adventurous, loves books, and tends to be overly dramatic. She often internally narrates her life, for which others are completely aware. She is raised by her singlewidower father. In "Doorway to Helen" it is revealed that Kelsey is Jewish, and in "Fire & Ice" it is revealed that she is alesbian.
John Paul "J.P." Mercer (voiced by H. Michael Croner) – A tall 11-year-old boy who is another one of Craig's close friends. He wears an oversized red hockey jersey. While not shown to be very bright, he is imaginative and kind to those around him. He is prone to getting very dirty and injuring himself. In "Under the Overpass", Craig stated that he and Kelsey "found" J.P. in a previous adventure.
The greenlit announcement was made public on March 30, 2017, alongside other shows such asApple & Onion andSummer Camp Island.[10] Matt Burnett also stated on his Twitter account that he and his team had recently begun production around that time.[11]
In August 2021, Trammell toldInsider 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."[12] 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."
The show's music is composed byJeff Rosenstock, who specializes in theska genre.[13] Ben Levin and Matt Burnett are both fans of ska, which is why they wanted Rosenstock for the job.
In April 2018, twolesbian characters were confirmed. In their debut episode, "The Curse," Tabitha refuses to go to college and wants to spend time with Courtney. Courtney blushes, and they are holding hands in the end.[14] In "The Haunted Dollhouse," they have feelings for each other, which is confirmed, and they kiss.
In December 2019, it was confirmed that the show had anon-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.[15] 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 was a small contribution to LGBTQ+ representation, they hoped "fans can take comfort knowing that there's also non-binary people working behind the scenes" on every one of the show's episodes. Some praised the show for the number of non-binary characters, comparing it to the apparent number of "non-binary characters" inSteven Universe, where every Gem is "non-binary" (Though the Gems are biologically sexless and all use female pronouns).[16]
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.[17] Laura is voiced by openly lesbian comedianFortune Feimster. Raj and Shawn, Honeysuckle Rangers from a neighborhood nearby,[18] are implied to have feelings for each other in several episodes.[19] Raj is voiced by openly gay actorParvesh Cheena. Also, the episode "Cousin of the Creek," Jasmine tells her cousin "I'm texting my girlfriend, mind your business."[20]
The season 4 episode "Fire & Ice" focuses on Kelsey and Stacks' relationship as they confessed their love to each other.[21] At the end of another season 4 episode, "Silver Fist Returns," Cat Burglar (Secret Keeper) is revealed to be gay and has a crush on George of The Tea Timers. George blushes and asks him out and he accepts, making them officially a couple. Secret Keeper is voiced by non-binary actorCole Escola.
This sectionis missing information about the history. Please expand the section to include this information. Further details may exist on thetalk page.(January 2022)
On July 15, 2019, it was announced that the series was renewed for a third season which premiered on June 21, 2020.[22] 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 premiered on July 10, 2023.[4] In October 2022, it was announced that the fifth season will be cut in half byWarner Bros. Discovery.[23] In December 2022, it was announced the series finished production and seven episodes were cut from the fifth season.[7]
On May 2, 2022, the show also began airing reruns on Cartoon Network's sister channel,Boomerang.[24]
The series made its international debut onTeletoon inCanada on May 3, 2018.[25] In most countries inEurope andLatin America, it airs on Cartoon Network.
The series was received positively from critics. Doug Wallen ofThe Guardian wrote "series slots in comfortably alongside current animated shows like Hilda and Bluey. It becomes all the more endearing as one keeps watching, thanks in part to savvy pop-culture references and repeated callbacks to past episodes. The setting may be a fictionalised version of the Baltimore/Washington DC area, but the thickly forested, adventure-rich backdrop could be anywhere. No matter who you are or what you're going through, escape is always just as close as the creek."[27]
Omar Holmon ofBlacknerdproblems.com said that show "Re-examines what it's like for kids using their imaginations. Who knew you could still use one of those without an internet connection? I'm putting my faith inCraig of The Creek in these trying times."[28]
Emily Ashby ofCommon 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."[29]
Harron Atkins, Lorraine DeGraffenreidt, Matt Burnett, Ben Levin, Dashawn Mahone, Najja Porter, Jason Dwyer, Leiana Nitura, Ifesinachi Orjiekwe, Ashley Tahilana and Jones Wiedle(for "Heart of the Forest")
On February 17, 2021, it was announced that a preschool spin-off series centered on Craig's little sister Jessica was in development. TitledJessica's Big Little World, the new series was set to air as part of Cartoon Network'sCartoonito preschool block.[5] On January 19, 2022, it was announced that the series would premiere in 2023.[4][45]
In October 2022, it was announced that the first season of the spin-off would be cut in half byWarner Bros. Discovery.[23] In July 2023, it was announced the series would air as part of the regular Cartoon Network schedule, in addition to Cartoonito.[45] A sneak peek of the series aired on September 20, 2023, and officially premiered on October 2, 2023.[46]
In November 2023, it was reported that the series would end after its first season.[47]
An origin film,Craig Before the Creek, was announced on January 19, 2022, and was released on digital on December 11, 2023, and on DVD on March 26, 2024.[4][48] The film aired on Cartoon Network on January 13, 2024.[48] The events of the film take place before the first episode of the series.
^"Meet Craig's Family".Cartoon Network.YouTube. October 25, 2019.Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. RetrievedJune 10, 2021. See 6:35-6:37 in the video
