‘The Garden’ docu-series comes to South African screens

The controversial off-grid community that gained notoriety on social media due to unsettling claims is now the focus of a six-part limited series called THE GARDEN: COMMUNE OR CULT, which will premiere on Discovery Channel on Wednesday, November 22 at 20:00 CAT.

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‘THE GARDEN’ COMES TO SOUTH AFRICAN SCREENS

The Garden is a community free from the demands of contemporary civilization, situated on 22 acres of backcountry property in the American South. Residents follow their own set of rules. Although they have an open door policy, new members are required to go through an initiation process. A select few will make The Garden their permanent home, while others are forced to depart after barely lasting a week.

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Though this spring is different, concerns about the contentious community’s cult-like atmosphere persist.

Unprecedented access to The Garden has been provided to cameras, allowing them to capture its expansion into new areas deep within the Ozarks.

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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. 

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NEVER BEFORE SEEN INSIGHTS

The 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?

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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.