DISCOVERY CAMERAS VENTURE INTO CONTROVERSIAL
OFF-GRID COMMUNITY FOR NEW SERIES
THE GARDEN: COMMUNE OR CULT
Premiering in Africa on Wednesday, 22 November at 20:00 CAT
[Johannesburg, SA]: An infamous off-grid community that went viral on social media for disturbing allegations is now the subject of a six-part limited series, THE GARDEN: COMMUNE OR CULT, arriving on Wednesday, 22 November at 20:00 CAT on Discovery Channel.
On 22 acres of backcountry land in the American South lies The Garden – a community that lives by its own laws, free from the pressures of modern society. They maintain an open-door policy to anyone seeking to join their ranks, but new people must submit to an initiation period. Some barely last a week, others are forced to leave, and a chosen few will call The Garden home for good. Questions continue to arise about the cult-like vibes of the controversial community, but this spring is different. Cameras have been granted unprecedented access to The Garden, documenting its spread to new locations deep in the Ozarks.
Founded as a cooperative, ‘leaderless’ community, The Garden could be viewed as a post-apocalyptic wonderland free of societal rules. However, when potential members arrive, they quickly realize there’s more than meets the eye. New initiates include Tyler, a veteran and self-described doomsday prepper; Tisheila, a truck driver survivalist; ‘Oak’, who wants to toughen up after years behind a desk; and Jessica, a former cheerleader looking to reconnect with nature.
These newcomers have ten days to prove to The Garden that they have what it takes to be part of the community. Did they join a commune working towards a sustainable, off-grid way of life? Or have they just surrounded themselves with members of a mind-controlling cult?
Produced for Warner Bros. Discovery by Hot Snakes, The Garden: Commune or Cult airs on Discovery Channel from Friday, 22 November up to Monday, 25 December 2023. Audiences can follow the conversation on social media with #TheGarden: Commune or Cult and follow Discovery Channel Africa on Facebook and Instagram for more updates.