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LaMorne Morris just landed the role of a lifetime. The Emmy-winning actor from Fargo will voice Garfield in a brand new 2D animated series coming to Paramount+. Announced today, this marks the first Garfield cartoon series in nearly 17 years.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Voice Actor: Lamorne Morris, best known for New Girl and Fargo
- Format: 2D animated series produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studios
- Streaming Home: Paramount+ greenlit the officially titled Garfield series
- Development Timeline: In production for 7 years since Viacom’s 2019 acquisition
Why LaMorne Morris Is Perfect for the Lasagna-Loving Cat
Morris brings comedy chops to Garfield, a character famous for sarcasm and laziness. The 42-year-old actor won an Emmy for his 2024 role in Fargo Season 5, proving he masters both drama and humor. More importantly, Morris shares a real-life bond with felines. His character on New Girl, Winston Bishop, became iconic for his quirky relationship with his pet cat Ferguson. That on-screen chemistry signals Morris understands cat humor.
His voice work record shows versatility across animated projects. Morris brings distinctive comedic timing that matches Garfield’s deadpan personality perfectly.
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A Long Road Finally Reaches the Screen
This Garfield series survived a challenging seven-year production journey. Viacom first acquired the iconic comic strip character back in 2019 from Paws Inc., vowing to develop a new animated adaptation. The project weathered multiple corporate mergers, including the 2019 Paramount-ViacomCBS merger and the recent Skydance-Paramount deal. Despite these corporate reshuffles, the series survived, and today’s announcement proves it’s finally ready to debut.
Jim Davis, who created Garfield in 1978, has seen his beloved cat appear in multiple formats over the decades. This latest television adaptation marks a return to episodic storytelling after the 2009 Garfield Show ended.
What’s Different About This Version
Nickelodeon Animation Studios is taking a fresh approach with this series. Executive producers Dave H. Johnson and John Trabbic III, who worked on Middlemost Post for Nickelodeon, bring contemporary comedic sensibilities to the nearly 50-year-old character. The series promises to feature Garfield at his finest, showcasing his legendary sarcasm, love of lasagna, and disdain for Mondays.
| Series Detail | Information |
| Network | Paramount+ |
| Producer | Nickelodeon Animation Studios |
| Voice of Garfield | Lamorne Morris |
| Format | 2D Animated Series |
This new series coexists alongside the Chris Pratt-led Garfield Movie franchise. Sony Pictures released The Garfield Movie in 2024 with mixed box office results, but a sequel is already in development. Both animated and theatrical versions demonstrate Paramount’s commitment to revitalizing this iconic character.
“The chonky feline at his finest, with the sarcastic and lackadaisical attitude the character is known for.”
— Paramount+ Official Announcement
Paramount Plus Strengthens Kids and Family Programming
This Garfield pickup signals Paramount+’s aggressive expansion in children’s content. Jane Wiseman, Head of Originals at Paramount+, led the greenlighting decision alongside Cindy Holland, Chair of Direct-to-Consumer. The streamer recently ordered other kids-focused series including The Elephant & Piggie Show and The Pigeon Show, both based on Mo Willems’ beloved characters.
Paramount+ competes directly with Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video for family subscribers. Iconic franchises like SpongeBob SquarePants and PAW Patrol already anchor Paramount+’s kids portfolio. Adding Garfield strengthens this already formidable lineup with a character that appeals across generations.
Will Viewers Finally See Garfield Back on TV Where He Belongs?
The timing feels right for Garfield’s television comeback. Nostalgia-driven content dominates streaming in 2026, and classic characters enjoy renewed interest. Morris’s casting signals Paramount+ isn’t just reviving the character for nostalgia, but bringing fresh talent to make it relevant for modern audiences.
The original comic strip reaches over 200 million daily readers worldwide, with millions following Garfield on social media. This animated series has tremendous built-in audience potential. With Morris voicing the character and Nickelodeon Animation handling production, expectations are genuinely high for this long-awaited return.
Sources
- Deadline – Exclusive announcement of Garfield series greenlight with Lamorne Morris voicing the character for Paramount+
- The Hollywood Reporter – Confirmation of Nickelodeon Animation Studios production and executive producer details
- Variety – LaMorne Morris casting and career context regarding his Emmy-winning performance in Fargo
