Stillwater is an animated children's television series based on the Zen book series by Jon J Muth. The series premiered on December 4, 2020 on Apple TV+. The second season premiered on March 18, 2022.[1] The third season was released on May 19, 2023.[2] The fourth season was released on August 1, 2025.[3]
Synopsis
In each episode, siblings Michael, Addy, and Karl have a new adventure each day but get into a certain problem or predicament. They seek the help of the wise and calm neighbor, Stillwater the panda, who tries to teach them a lesson through his stories. The stories turns from the 3d animation to a 2d animation with the characters as animal hybrids who have each experienced a similar problem and learned something important after it. After Stillwater stories, the children take the moral of the story to solve their own problem, and everything usually works out in the end.
Cast and characters
- James Sie as Stillwater, Ren
- Judah Mackey as Karl, Baby Bunny
- Eva Ariel Binder as Addy
- Tucker Chandler as Michael
- Nara Thompson as Koo, Fox Neighbor, Maria
- Sydney Thomas as Maya, Mouse
- Kari Wahlgren as Telly, Ms. Salamander, Mama Bird, Mama Bunny, Raccoon
- Isla Farris as Asha, Pratima
- Fryda Wolff as Cosmo Kora, Wise Wolf, Delia, Nancy, Antonia, Spider Monkey 1
- Fred Tatasciore as Janitor, Mayor, Friend, Jacque, Bear, Rat Guest 2, Father, Lynx Pedestrian #2
- Della Saba as Concert Master, Owl, Polly, Judge, Mistress Mabel
- Jakari Fraser as Raccoon Student, Older Brother, Warthog, Kai
- Rylee Alazraqui as Emma, Hazel, Little Whiskelson, Young Daughter
- Vivienne Rutherford as Rabbit Child, Heather
- Robbie Daymond as Apprentice, Hawk, Gulik, Hare, Spider Monkey 2
- Eric Bauza as Fox Student, Traveler, Dog Neighbor, Octopus, Dario
- Dino Andrade as Attendant, Cal, Frog Craftsman
- Salli Saffioti as Mrs. O'Brien, Yak Neighbor, Surfer Neighbor, Rio, Teacher
- Connor Andrade as Nolan, Joey
- Pierce Kang as Leo
- Kyra Lyn as Molly
- Sawyer Jones as Archie, Julio, Harry Bunny
- Phil LaMarr as Cosmo Kane, Fancy Man, Beekeeper
- Jolene Kim as Artist #1, Master Tanuki
- Andre Robinson as Egret, Kel, Gosling
- Jennifer Hale as Dragon, Villager, Cal, Master Chu, Villager 2
- Stephanie Sheh as Nani, Customer, Hannah
- Sirena Irwin as Fish, Dottie, Odette
- Remi Tuckman as Student, Little Brother
- Toks Olagundoye as Mother Manatee, Empress, Fancy Woman
- Ike Amadi as Jimmy, Ikkyu, Artist #2
- Alastair Duncan as Angus, Goose
- Sunil Malhotra as Llama, Arjun
- Kimberly Brooks as Daisy, Dahlia
- Glynn Turman as Mr. Morgan
- Julie Nathanson as Yvonne, Katya
- Jennie Kwan as Ami, Deer Pedestrian #1, Bear Pedestrian #3
- Antonio Raul Garcia as Lucas, Carlitos
- Carlos Alazraqui as Felipe, Javier, Santiago
- Aleks Le as Contestant 1, Grandson
- Jeanne Sakata as Aunt Sally, Obaachan
- Camden Brooks as Bryan, Lion Cub
- Caleb Jeon as Tommy
- Tom Kenny as Lloyd, Mr. Mudskipper
- Gregory Cruz as Astronomer, Master Builder
- Jane Carr as Grandma, Royal Advisor
- Bahia Watson as Mother Gull, Nina
- Carter Chee as Tommy
- Jeff Bennett as Tortoise, Roadrunner
- Max Mittelman as Joku, Villager 1
- Cassandra Lee Morris as Ying
- Danny Jacobs as Kato
- Kerstin Julia Dietrich as Katya
- Andy Daly as Mr. Whiskerton
- Nazneen Contractor as Queen Tortoise, Hedgehog Guest 1
- Max Mitchell as Narrator
- Pele Liliko'i Howe as Min
- Yuri Lowenthal as Drip, August
- Aidan Bristow as Cart Driver, Robert
- Keith Ferguson as Drop, Stork Neighbor
- Larissa Gallagher as Marina, Mama Roo, Kangaroo Neighbors
- Lauren Tom as Mrs. Wilson
- Dora Dolphin as Maddy
- Juliet Donenfeld as Young Manatee, Gull Sibling
- Izaac Wang as Gull Chick
- Cherise Boothe as Bandleader
- Doug Erholtz as Benjamin, Art Critic
- Mia Akemi Brown as Older Sister
- Jessica Mikayla as Laney
- Thea Saccoliti as Piper
- Kinza Syed Khan as Kiran, Skunk Student
- Malachi Josiah White as Darrell
- Trinity Jo-Li Bliss as Lexi
Episodes
Series overview
Season 1 (2020–21)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title [4] | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "The Impossible Dream" "Stuck in the Rain" | Jun Falkenstein | Rob Hoegee | December 4, 2020 |
| 2 | 2 | "Gift of Compassion" "Larger Than Life" | Amber Tornquist Hollinger & Jun Falkenstein | Rob Hoegee & Craig Lewis | December 4, 2020 |
| 3 | 3 | "Soaked" "A Perfect Fit" | Jun Falkenstein & Roy Burdine & Amber Tornquist Hollinger | Denise Downer & Craig Lewis | December 4, 2020 |
| 4 | 4 | "Downward Dog" "The Sleeping Moon" | Amber Tornquist Hollinger & Jun Falkenstein | Denise Downer & Lisa Kettle | December 4, 2020 |
| 5 | 5 | "The Race" "Dressed Up" | Jun Falkenstein & Gary Hartle & Amber Tornquist Hollinger | Sindy McKay & Amy Wolfram | December 4, 2020 |
| 6 | 6 | "The Haircut" "Paper Wings" | Jun Falkenstein & Roy Burdine | Lisa Kettle & A.J. & Tanner Marchisello | December 4, 2020 |
| 7 | 7 | "Loud Colors" "Tied Up in Knots" | Jun Falkenstein & Amber Tornquist Hollinger | Amy Wolfram & Sindy McKay | August 27, 2021 |
| 8 | 8 | "Crossing Over" "Kind of Blue" | Jun Falkenstein & Amber Tornquist Hollinger | Lisa Kettle & Sindy McKay | August 27, 2021 |
| 9 | 9 | "Out on a Limb" "Sandcastles" | Jun Falkenstein & Amber Tornquist Hollinger | Len Uhley & Amy Wolfram | August 27, 2021 |
| 10 | 10 | "The Unexpected Gift" "Celebration Song" | Jun Falkenstein & Amber Tornquist Hollinger | Amy Wolfram & A.J. & Tanner Marchisello | August 27, 2021 |
| 11 | 11 | "The Trade" "Winter Wonder" | Jun Falkenstein & Amber Tornquist Hollinger | A.J. & Tanner Marchisello & Denise Downer | August 27, 2021 |
| 12 | 12 | "Ghost Story" | Jun Falkenstein | Rob Hoegee | October 1, 2021 |
| 13 | 13 | "The Way Home" | Jun Falkenstein | Rob Hoegee | December 3, 2021 |
Season 2 (2022)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 1 | "The Visit" | Amber Tornquist Hollinger Roy Burdine | Rob Hoegee Jessica Welsh | March 18, 2022 |
| "Showtime" | |||||
| 15 | 2 | "Karl's Museum" "The Helper" | Amber Tornquist Hollinger Roy Burdine | Matt Wayne Sindy Mckay | March 18, 2022 |
| 16 | 3 | "Band Aid" "The Good Morning" | Amber Tornquist Hollinger Roy Burdine | Matt Wayne Jessica Welsh | March 18, 2022 |
| 17 | 4 | "Building Big" "Falling Leaves" | Amber Tornquist Hollinger Roy Burdine | Patrick Reiger Jessica Welsh | March 18, 2022 |
| 18 | 5 | "Stitch Marks" "Friends Forever" | Amber Tornquist Hollinger Roy Burdine | Sindy McKay Amy Wolfram | March 18, 2022 |
| 19 | 6 | "Hide and Seek" "The Trip" | Amber Tornquist Hollinger & Gary Hartle Roy Burdine | Patrick Rieger Rob Hoegee & Jessica Welsh | March 18, 2022 |
| 20 | 7 | "One Drop Makes an Ocean" | Gary Hartle | Rob Hoegee | April 15, 2022 |
Season 3 (2023)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 1 | "Waiting" "Bake Sale" | Gary Hartle Kuni Tomita | Rob Hoegee Jessica Welsh | May 19, 2023 |
| 22 | 2 | "Captain Koo" "Digging Deeper" | Gary Hartle Kuni Tomita | Callie Miller Sindy Mckay | May 19, 2023 |
| 23 | 3 | "Tons of Fun" "Apologies" | Gary Hartle Kuni Tomita | Amy Wolfram Len Uhley | May 19, 2023 |
| 24 | 4 | "Sounds Like Poetry" "Birdwatching" | Gary Hartle Kuni Tomita | Denise Downer Kris Marvin Hughes | May 19, 2023 |
| 25 | 5 | "New Neighbors" "Koo's Gift" | Gary Hartle Kuni Tomita | Jessica Welsh Callie C. Miller | May 19, 2023 |
| 26 | 6 | "Friendly Wishes" "Growing Together" | Gary Hartle Kuni Tomita | Patrick Rieger Sindy Mckay | May 19, 2023 |
| 27 | 7 | "The Catio" "Campout" | Gary Hartle Jun Falkenstein | Amy Wolfram A.J. & Tanner Marchisello | May 19, 2023 |
| 28 | 8 | "Book Club" "Treasure Hunt" | Gary Hartle Kuni Tomita | Callie C. Miller Jessica Welsh | May 19, 2023 |
| 29 | 9 | "The Catch" "Missing Out" | Gary Hartle Kuni Tomita | Michael Ryan Kris Marvin Hughes | May 19, 2023 |
| 30 | 10 | "I'm Bored" "Art Fair" | Gary Hartle Kuni Tomita | Sindy Mckay Len Uhley | May 19, 2023 |
Season 4 (2025)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 1 | "Good, Better, Best" "Raking Leaves" | Jun Falkenstein | Angela M. Sánchez | August 1, 2025 |
| 32 | 2 | "Finders Keepers" "Good Advice" | Jun Falkenstein | Callie C. Miller Rusteen Honardoost | August 1, 2025 |
| 33 | 3 | "Story Time" "Ring the Bell" | Jun Falkenstein | Jessica Welsh Michael Ryan | August 1, 2025 |
| 34 | 4 | "Stage Fright" "The Cast" | Jun Falkenstein | Sam Bissonnette Kris Marvin Hughes | August 1, 2025 |
| 35 | 5 | "The Sleepover" "Snow Day" | Jun Falkenstein | Sam Bissonnette Jessica Welsh | August 1, 2025 |
Release
Stillwater premiered on December 4, 2020 on Apple TV+.[5][6] The episode "The Impossible Dream" was submitted to the Annecy Festival on June 14, 2021.[7]
Accolades
In 2021, the show won a Peabody Award, along with the Disney Channel animated series The Owl House.
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annie Awards | April 16, 2021 | Best TV/Media - Preschool | Stillwater (for "The Impossible Dream / Stuck in the Rain") | Nominated | [8] |
| March 12, 2022 | Stillwater (for "Crossing Over / Kind of Blue") | Nominated | [9] | ||
| Daytime Emmy Awards | July 17, 2021 | Outstanding Preschool Children's Animated Series | Stillwater | Nominated | [10][11][12][13] |
| Outstanding Writing Team for a Preschool Animated Program | Stillwater | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Directing Team for a Preschool Animated Program | Stillwater | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Editing for a Preschool Animated Program | Jill Calhoun, Jack Paulson | Won | |||
| Peabody Awards | June 21, 2021 | Children’s & Youth | Stillwater (Shared with The Owl House) | Won | [14] |
| Children's and Family Emmy Awards | December 10, 2022 | Outstanding Directing Team for a Preschool Animated Program | Jun Falkenstein, Roy Burdine, Gary Hartle, Amber Tornquist Hollinger | Won | [15] |
| Outstanding Editing for a Preschool Animated Program | Jill Calhoun, Jack Paulson | Nominated |
References
- ↑ "Stillwater Episode 203-Band Aid/The Good Morning". Australian Commercial Television Code of Pracitice. March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
- ↑ Shanfeld, Ethan (January 25, 2023). "Apple TV+ Sets 'Frog and Toad' Series, Announces Spring Kids and Family Slate (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
- ↑ Zahed, Ramin (June 24, 2025). "New Season of Apple's Acclaimed Series 'Stillwater' Drops on Aug. 1". Animation Magazine. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ↑ "Stillwater - Episodes". Apple TV+ Press. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- ↑ Low, Elaine (September 17, 2020). "Apple TV Plus Unveils 'Stillwater', 'Doug Unplugs', Premiere Dates for 'Ghostwriter', 'Helpsters' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- ↑ Greif, Coby (December 4, 2020). "Apple TV+ 'Stillwater': 10 Behind The Scenes Facts About The New Animated Preschool Series". Screen Rant. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- ↑ Whyte, Alexandra (June 11, 2021). "Shows on Kidscreen's radar at Annecy 2021". Kidscreen. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ↑ Pedersen, Erik (March 3, 2021). "Annie Awards Nominations: 'Soul' & 'Wolfwalkers' Lead Field For Animation Prizes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
- ↑ Giardina, Carolyn (December 21, 2021). "'Raya and the Last Dragon' Leads 2022 Annie Awards Feature Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
- ↑ Schneider, Michael (July 18, 2021). "Lupita Nyong'o, Mark Hamill Among Daytime Emmy Children's and Animation Winners". Variety. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
- ↑ "Children's & Lifestyle Nominations – The Emmys". National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. June 28, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
- ↑ Zahed, Ramin (June 28, 2021). "TV Academy Announces Animation/Children's Emmy Nominations". Animation Magazine.
- ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (July 18, 2021). "Daytime Emmys: Top Toon Prizes for 'Paddington', 'Hilda' as 'Animaniacs' Snag 4 Awards". Animation Magazine.
- ↑ Schneider, Michael (June 24, 2021). "Watch Cynthia Erivo Present Steve McQueen's Peabody Award for Amazon's 'Small Axe' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
- ↑ Hailu, Selome (December 10, 2022). "2022 Children's & Family Creative Arts Emmy Winners". Variety. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
