Animal Control (TV series)

Did You Know?

• The first season received a 60% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on ten critic reviews.
• Metacritic assigned a score of 68 out of 100 for the first season, indicating 'generally favorable reviews'.

Cast

Joel McHale portrays Frank Shaw, a bitter and cynical Senior Animal Control Officer who was fired from the police force after uncovering evidence of corruption. His sarcastic and quick-witted demeanor masks deep depression and self-consciousness. Vella Lovell plays Emily Price, the good-natured but socially awkward director of the A.C. Northwest precinct, who is chipper, competitive, and creative. Michael Rowland appears as Fred "Shred" Taylor, Frank's idealistic and naive partner and a former professional snowboarder. Ravi V. Patel plays Amit Patel, a pessimistic officer overwhelmed by his large family, while Grace Palmer portrays Victoria Sands, a street-smart, laid-back officer from New Zealand who engages in a flirtatious prank war with Frank. Gerry Dee plays Templeton Dudge, a mean-spirited officer from the Central Precinct. Kelli Ogmundson appears as Dolores Stubb, the self-righteous receptionist in season 1, and Alvina August plays Dr. Colette Summers, a veterinarian, also in season 1. Amy Goodmurphy voices AM Dispatch. Kevin Bigley plays Rick Doyle, the previous precinct director and Frank's former partner. Krystal Smith appears as Bettany, Emily's assistant from season 2 onward, and Chelsea Frei plays Isabelle, Shred's girlfriend, also from season 2. Lucy Punch portrays Fiona Holcomb in season 3, a philanthropist, and Josh Segarra plays Parker, a squatter who befriends the team from season 3 onward. Kyla Pratt appears as Daisy Cannon, Templeton's partner in season 4. María Gabriela de Faría plays Camila, Shred's long-distance girlfriend in season 1, and Kalyn Miles plays Maya Patel, Amit's wife.

Production

Fox gave a straight-to-series order to Animal Control in July 2022, marking Fox Entertainment Studios' first fully owned live-action comedy. Joel McHale joined as lead and executive producer in October 2022, with Vella Lovell and Ravi Patel joining later that month. Most filming took place in and around Vancouver from October 31, 2022 to January 25, 2023. The series was renewed for a second season in May 2023, premiering March 6, 2024, and for a third season in February 2024, which premiered January 2, 2025 after filming from June 17 to August 20, 2024. A fourth season was ordered on May 7, 2025, filmed from August 25 to November 7, 2025, and premiered December 28, 2025. A fifth season was ordered on February 26, 2026, scheduled to premiere September 27, 2026.