Joel McHale to star in Fox comedy series 'Animal Control'

Joel McHale has been cast in one of the lead roles in the upcoming Fox comedy series "Animal Control , ” Variety learned.

The single-camera show was picked up straight to series at Fox in July. According to the official logline, the show "will follow a group of local animal control officers whose lives are complicated by the fact that animals are simple, but humans are not."

McHale will play Frank, described as "an opinionated and eccentric animal control officer who is not can -didn't go to college, but is still the most cultured person in the room.A former cop, Frank tried to expose corruption in his department, but his efforts got him fired, which may explain why he's so cynical and grumpy. He has an almost superhuman ability to understand animals. Humans...not that much."

The role marks a return to leading a broadcast television series for McHale, who is possibly- best known for his starring role in the NBC comedy series "Community." The show aired five seasons on NBC and one on the now-defunct Yahoo Screen streaming service. It was recently announced that the cast would reunite for a follow-up to the film at Peacock.

McHale is also known to host the E! "The Soup" series and for appearances in films like "Spider-Man 2", "Ted", "The Happytime Murders" and "Spy Kids: All the Time in the World". He can also currently be seen in the DC series "Stargirl" on The CW.

It is replaced by UTA and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole LLP.

"Animal Control" will be Fox's first wholly-owned live-action comedy. It hails from writers and executive producers Bob Fisher, Rob Greenberg and Dan Sterling, with Tad Quill also executive producing. McHale will serve as executive producer in addition to starring. Fox Entertainment Studios will produce. McHale will be at MIPCOM Cannes to support the series as it presents to international buyers.

"Dan, Rob, Tad and Bob had envisioned Joel running 'Animal Control' since the Right when we began development, and we're all thrilled to have him on board," said Michael Thorn, President of Entertainment for Fox Entertainment. "Joel's acerbic wit and ability to bring a comedic lens everything he's involved in makes him the perfect person to bring Frank to life."

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