Fox's hilarious workplace sitcom Animal Controlhas delivered the laughs across its first two seasons, and the Joel McHale series returns for season 3. Set in the precinct of Seattle's animal control, the series follows a jaded former cop named Frank (McHale), who responds to various animal-related emergencies throughout the Emerald City. Capitalizing on Joel McHale's easy charm as a sitcom lead, Animal Control has taken its simple premise and presented a thoroughly enjoyable slice of light TV.
Like most sitcoms, the critical response to Animal Control has been somewhat middling, but it has drawn a strong audience to the comedy-heavy Fox network. Though series set in a particular workplace are common, Animal Control is a workplace sitcom that goes above and beyond by spoofing the industry as well as presenting an exaggerated view of the types of emergencies real-life animal control officers face each day. Though the strikes of 2023 affected the release of season 2, its quick renewal is a good sign that Animal Control will be a long-running hit.
Animal Control Season 3 Latest News
Fox Quickly Renews The Sitcom
This means that the Joel McHale comedy won't be back until early 2025, and it will likely air in a similar timeslot as season 2's strike-affected outing.
With the announcement coming a month before season 2 even premiered, Fox renewed Animal Control for a third season in February 2024 (via Variety). The news is somewhat surprising since the success of the show was seemingly hampered by an extended delay caused by the 2023 Hollywood strikes. However, Fox jumped at the opportunity to bring the workplace comedy back for another set of episodes.
One caveat to the renewal order though, is that Animal Control is not part of Fox's 2024-2025 fall slate, and will instead by held over till midseason. This means that the Joel McHale comedy won't be back until early 2025, and it will likely air in a similar timeslot as season 2's strike-affected outing. No reason has been given for the decision, but Animal Control could find a more permanent home as a midseason series that keeps viewers coming to Fox even during the network TV slow period.
Animal Control Season 3 Is Confirmed
Fox Renewed The Series In February 2024
the decision clearly represents the network's overwhelming confidence in the Joel McHale vehicle
It wouldn't have been shocking if Animal Control season 3 wasn't announced until after the season 2 finale, but Fox had other plans. T he network took the guessing out of the equation and renewed Animal Control for its third season in February 2024. The move came more than a month before the sophomore season premiered, and the decision clearly represents the network's overwhelming confidence in the Joel McHale vehicle. The fate of the show is still undecided beyond season 3, however.
It's also important to note that Animal Control season 3 was held over until midseason, and the series won't return until early 2025. Fox's comedy slate is stuffed with new and returning shows, and Animal Control could potentially take a permanent spot as one of the network's midseason shows. Family Guy season 23 was also held over, so it isn't necessarily an indication of the popularity (or lack thereof) of Animal Control.
Sitcoms are one of the most popular formats of TV shows, and the best sitcoms of all time showcase exactly why they continue to dominate.
Animal Control Season 3 Cast
Frank & The Team Returns In Season 3
In keeping with the sitcom tradition of strong ongoing ensembles, the cast of Animal Control is likely to remain consistent. Led by former Community star Joel McHale as Frank Shaw, the jaded former police officer who doesn't take his job at Seattle Animal Control very seriously. Aside from McHale, the rest of the main and supporting cast will probably return to continue their various dramatic and comedic storylines. Though Animal Control is light on plot, continuity within the characters is what helps sitcoms work over multiple seasons.
The entire expected cast of season 3 includes:
Actor
Animal Control Role
Joel McHale
Frank Shaw
Vella Lovell
Emily Price
Michael Rowland
Fred "Shred" Taylor
Ravi V. Patel
Amit Patel
Grace Palmer
Victoria Sands
Alvina August
Dr. Colette Summers
Amy Goodmurphy
AM Dispatch
Kevin Bigley
Rick Doyle
Krystal Smith
Bettany
Animal Control Season 3 Story Details
What Wild Animal Emergencies Will Happen Next?
The plot of Animal Control is somewhat loose, but there are a few ongoing threads which could be picked up in season 3. Victoria passed her citizenship test in the season 2 finale, and she and Frank have some serious romantic chemistry that will need to be addressed. Speaking of romance, Shred and Emily seem destined to be a permanent missed connection as the former decides to move on from the latter, just as Emily begins to change her mind about him. This sort of will-they-won't-they will be perfect fodder for season 3, and could offer a compelling payoff as well.
Frank Shaw's jaded attitude comes from being a former cop who was ousted for trying to expose corruption within the force. Season 3 could dive deeper into Frank's past to help him move on and accept the new life he lives at Animal Control. Likewise, Emily's quest to climb the ranks will continue to be a major simmering character arc, and season 3 of Animal Controlcould throw in some new wrinkles.
Animal Control is a single-camera-focused sitcom television series from FOX and stars Joel McHale as a local animal control team member. All of them coming from diverse backgrounds, the misfit crew will navigate their relationships and the various challenges brought by different animals as they try to work together to become a fully functional department.
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