Apple TV’s award-winning animated series returns with five new episodes
Apple TV has released the trailer for the fifth season of the hit animated series Stillwater, with the new season premiering Friday, August 21, 2026. The season will debut with five episodes, while the first four seasons are already available to stream on Apple TV.
The new trailer previews more quiet, thoughtful adventures for Karl, Addy and Michael, the three siblings whose wise panda neighbor helps them work through the challenges of childhood. The series is produced by Gaumont and Scholastic Entertainment, with an executive-producer team including Sidonie Dumas, Nicolas Atlan, Terry Kalagian, Iole Lucchese, Caitlin Friedman, Jef Kaminsky, Jun Falkenstein and Rob Hoegee.
A Panda With Plenty of Wisdom to Share
Based on Jon J. Muth’s bestselling Zen books, Stillwater follows siblings Karl, Addy and Michael as they encounter everyday problems that can seem enormous from a child’s perspective. Their neighbor, Stillwater, is a calm and compassionate panda who helps them find new ways to understand their feelings, relationships and the world around them.
Rather than simply telling children what they should do, Stillwater encourages them to slow down, consider different perspectives and discover solutions themselves. The series incorporates breathing exercises, mindful moments and other simple practices designed to help children and families “discover their own Zen,” making emotional regulation and mindfulness part of the storytelling.
That combination has helped make Stillwater stand out in children’s television, particularly for parents looking for programming that entertains while giving kids practical emotional tools.
An Award-Winning Apple TV Favorite
Stillwater has already established itself as one of Apple TV’s notable children’s series, earning both a Peabody Award and Daytime Emmy Award. The fifth season continues a run that began in 2020 and is based on a book franchise that has introduced generations of young readers to mindfulness.
Apple describes the series as a story about friendship and perspective, with Stillwater’s stories giving the siblings “new perspectives on the world, themselves, and each other.”
For families heading into another busy school year, the timing may be especially welcome: Stillwater offers something increasingly valuable for kids—a reminder that sometimes the best response to a big feeling is to stop, breathe and think.
