Animals (American TV series)
An HBO adult animated series with improvised animal dialogue.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Animals (stylised Animals.) is an American adult animated comedy television series created by Phil Matarese and Mike Luciano. The series premiered on HBO on February 5, 2016, after the first two episodes were independently produced and presented at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2015. The show was renewed for a third season on May 19, 2017, which premiered on August 3, 2018, before being canceled by HBO in October 2018.
- Genre
- Adult animated comedy
- Creators
- Phil Matarese, Mike Luciano
- Network
- HBO
- Premiere date
- February 5, 2016
- Final season
- Season 3 (2018)
- Status
- Canceled (October 2018)
- Notable for
- Retroscripting, improvised dialogue, live-action story arcs
Lore & Background
Each episode of Animals features a different cast of special guests, with creators Matarese and Luciano voicing various animals. The show uses retroscripting and improvised dialogue based on plot outlines. Each season includes a story arc featuring humans in live-action sequences, except the first season which is entirely animated. Season one's human arc involves a corrupt mayor and his reelection. Season two follows a reporter investigating a virus outbreak created by mad scientist Dr. Labcoat, who ultimately releases a gas that dissolves all human life in New York. Season three, set three years after the 'Green Day' incident, depicts the animals of New York forming their own governments while being observed by two soldiers losing their grip on reality.
Reader's Guide
Animals stands as a distinctive entry in adult animation for its improvisational approach and its blend of animated animal characters with live-action human story arcs. The series was created by Phil Matarese and Mike Luciano, who also voiced multiple animal characters across seasons. Critical reception was mixed: the first season holds a 68% 'Fresh' rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 54 out of 100, indicating mixed or above-average reviews. While some critics praised its deadpan humor and subversion of anthropomorphic tropes, others found it unfunny and tedious. The show's cancellation after three seasons in October 2018 ended its exploration of post-human New York animal societies. Its legacy includes being part of a wave of adult animated series on HBO alongside shows like Togetherness and Portlandia.
Did You Know?
- The first two episodes were independently produced and presented at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2015.
- HBO picked up the series with a two-season order in May 2015.
- Season 3 takes place three years after the 'Green Day' incident, with animals forming their own governments.
- RuPaul Charles voiced Dr. Labcoat, the antagonist of season two's human storyline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Animals (American TV series)?
Animals is an HBO adult animated comedy in which anthropomorphized animals deliver fully improvised, unscripted dialogue in everyday human scenarios. It was created by Phil Matarese and Mike Luciano and first aired in 2016.
When did Animals premiere and where did it air?
The series officially debuted on HBO on February 5, 2016, though the first two episodes had already been independently produced and screened at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2015.
How many seasons did Animals run for and why did it end?
The show completed three seasons, with the third premiering in August 2018. HBO canceled the series in October 2018 and did not renew it for a fourth season.
What makes Animals' format different from other animated comedies?
Rather than using a traditional written script, the animal characters speak in a loose, improvised style that mimics the rhythm and tangents of real human conversation. This gives the show a distinctive, almost documentary-like comedic feel.
Who are the creators behind Animals?
Phil Matarese and Mike Luciano co-created the series, developing the concept of animals delivering naturalistic improvised dialogue in human settings. They were also involved in producing the independently made pilot episodes that preceded the HBO run.
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