'Animal Control' Season 2: Release Date Speculation, News, Cast, and More

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After the first season of Fox’s Animal Control aired in February 2023, it instantly became a hit with fans. So news of the Season 2 renewal wasn’t a big surprise. However, the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes did halt production on the upcoming season, but since the strikes have been resolved, the series is expected to go back into production on December 11 through February 23.

Here’s what we know so far about Animal Control Season 2. Spoilers ahead for Season 1.

Animal Control Was Renewed for Season 2

Fox has officially renewed Animal Control for a second season. The renewal was expected as it was the network’s first live-action comedy. Animal Control’s premiere was also the most streamed scripted debut for Fox. The show drew 4.5 million viewers across all platforms in the first three days.

“We are thrilled our viewers have responded to Animal Control as much as we did,” said Fox Entertainment’s president of scripted programming Michael Thorn. “The incredibly talented ensemble cast, led by Joel McHale, along with our creative team, Rob Fisher, Rob Greenberg, Dan Sterling, and Tad Quill – not to mention a menagerie of wild animal method actors – have delivered a hilarious series that is sharp, witty, and warm, week after week.”

Animal Control was co-created by Rob Fisher, Rob Greenberg, and Dan Sterling. All three also serve as the show’s executive producers. McHale is also an executive producer, as well as Jake Fuller, Tony Hernandez, Brooke Posch, and Tad Quill.

Fox renewed Animal Control for another season a few days after its season finale on May 10, 2023. It’s yet to be determined how many episodes the second season will get. It has been reported that networks are eyeing shorter seasons for comedies and dramas. A shorter season could be between 10 to 15 episodes a season.

But, the first season of Animal Control had 12 episodes. It’s still possible that Season 2 may maintain that number, or cut down as well.

Animal Control Cast

Luckily, the entire main cast of Animal Control will be back for Season 2. This includes Joel McHale as Frank Shaw, Michael Rowland as Fred “Shred” Taylor, Vella Lovell as Emily Price, Ravi Patel as Amit Patel, Grace Palmer as Victoria Sands, Alvina August as Dr. Colette Summers, Kelli Ogmundson as Dolores Stubb, and Gerry Dee as Commissioner Templeton Dudge. Also expected to be back for Season 2 are Amy Goodmurphy as AM Dispatch and Kevin Bigley as Rick Doyle.

Season 1 had a host of guest appearances, and many may also be back for Animal Control Season 2. This includes Maria Gabriela de Faria as Camilla as well as Kalyn Miles and Dayah Brar as Amit’s wife and daughter.

Directors Robert Cohen, Jay Chandrasekhar, and Chris Koch may be back to direct episodes for Season 2. Jen Jackson, Clark Mathis, and Matthew Chipera may also return to produce the show.

Speaking with Collider, McHale talked about his character, describing Frank as “a man who is torn, who wants to run. He wants to be a hunter-gatherer off in the woods, but I don’t think he himself knows why he hasn’t gone after it.”

Lovell also talked about the chemistry between the cast in an interview with Collider. The actress said, “When we’re making it, we think we’re having a lot of fun and this is fun for us and we’re vibing.”

What Happened in Season 1

In the first season finale of Animal Control, Shred ends up losing both his girlfriend and any chance he thought he had with Emily. Emily, on the other hand, has a blossoming romance with Rick. Even as things seem bleak, Shred makes progress with his relationship with Frank. Frank, however, is also grieving over the death of C-38, the mountain lion of the Northwest Seattle Division.

The official synopsis for Animal Control reads:

“A group of local animal control workers’ lives are complicated by the fact that animals are simple. But humans are not. Leading the crew is Frank, an opinionated, eccentric animal control officer who may not have gone to college but is still the most well-read person in the room. In his past life as a cop, Frank tried to expose corruption in his department, but his efforts got him fired, leaving him cynical and curmudgeonly. Despite his rough exterior, he is blessed with an almost superhuman ability to understand animals.”

What to Expect in Season 2

In the interview with Collider, McHale said he was excited to explore the progressing dynamic between Frank and Shred for Season 2.

“Because the way that it kind of started was me being pretty cantankerous, and that obviously melted. And so now I feel protective of him. And so I think Frank knows he’s a good guy, even though it can obviously come off as being so innocent to the point of, what is wrong with you?” said McHale.

“…I think Frank will explore and will start working out the sh*t he has with his dad, with Shred, because Shred had a really good relationship with his dad. And so I think they will work together on that. And Frank will be extremely resistant to that, but I’m guessing that’s a whole other part to explore. Shred is undeniably likable, and it’s infectious in that way and I think that will further drive Frank out of his mind and draw him closer. And then eventually, I don’t know, a raccoon will bite off Frank’s pinky.”

The Community star also shared why he decided to join the show.

“You hear all the standard things, which is, I thought the idea was really good. And I was like, ‘Oh, I think I’ve heard of that before,’ and it hadn’t been done. And I was like, ‘That’s a good sign,’ that you think something’s been done before, but it hasn’t. You’re like ‘Well, why hasn’t someone done that?’ or something like that. And I was like, ‘Animal control, the actual service, and the people that are in it are all around us in every single city and countryside.’”