Former Nickelodeon Animator Launches Faith-Driven Studio to Bring God’s Light to Kids
A former Nickelodeon animator with multiple Emmy nominations has launched a new values-driven studio aimed at creating God-glorifying animated content for children searching for hope in a dark world.
Animator Butch Hartman made a name for himself at Nickelodeon, where he created the hit series The Fairly OddParents and later developed Danny Phantom, T.U.F.F. Puppy, and Bunsen Is a Beast. During his tenure, he earned nominations for three Daytime Emmys, four Primetime Emmys, and five Annie Awards, and won four BMI Film & TV Awards before departing the network in 2018.
He later created the Bible-infused series The Garden Cartoon before launching his own company in 2025, Butch Hartman Studios, with the goal of producing more content that would – in his words p– bring much-needed light to a dark entertainment landscape.
“Hollywood's never been a center of morality,” Hartman told Crosswalk Headlines. “And by the way, I'm not the most moral person ever – that's why I need a Savior.
“[But] there's a lot of kids that won't walk into a church ever – but they have an iPhone in their hand, and something has to go on that screen. And it's my job as a creator and a filmmaker and a cartoonist as to what I'm going to put on that screen. So what do I put on that screen? Am I going to put something that's detrimental to that child's well-being, or am I going to put something on that’s going to make them laugh and give them hope and give them joy?”
The studio is currently developing at least four projects, including a second season of The Garden Cartoon, which streams on Angel and other platforms – and follows best friends Lenny the Lion and Lucy the Lamb as they embark on adventures in a miraculous garden where they learn timeless lessons rooted in Scripture.
A second project in development, Two by Two, has been described as a cross between a Bible story and The Office, recounting the story of Noah and his family aboard the ark through a series of comedic skits designed for teens and tweens.
Another series in development, Opossum Paul, follows a small opossum who journeys through Judea sharing the message of Jesus. Finally, Dragon Drive-Thru centers on three dragons attempting to run a fast-food restaurant in a small town while their nemesis – a pig – plots to shut them down.
Some projects are more explicitly Bible-centered than others, he emphasized, but all are designed to be family-friendly and values-driven.
“Our job is to go into the dark places in the entertainment world, or the world in general, and try and be that little light, that little firefly, and light the darkness,” he said.
Hartman came to Christ in 2000 at the age of 35, right as he was launching The Fairly OddParents.
“I was living in a secular world, working in a secular world, but having to navigate it like a Christian,” he told Crosswalk Headlines. “The Bible tells us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. You know, I couldn't just start making shows about Christianity. No one's going to make a show like that in Hollywood. And so I would just try and put Christian values in my stuff – happiness, joy, love, peace, that kind of thing. But behind the scenes, I was always trying to encourage people, lift them up. … My heart and my values were changing the entire time I was making the show. Certain jokes I would make when I first got saved, I wouldn't make later on, as my walk with Jesus increased.”
The Christian entertainment marketplace, he said, has plenty of options for adults – but far fewer options tailored specifically to children.
“I'd rather feed the kids now so they don't become adults with a lot of childhood trauma,” he said. “Let's get them while they're early, because the enemy is going after them while they're young, too.”
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Photo Credit: Butch Hartman Studios
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published February 27, 2026.
