Joel McHale‘s series that follows a group of local animal control workers whose lives are complicated by the fact that animals are simple, but humans are not, will air on youth channel E4.Canada’s CBC, Australia’s Foxtel and New Zealand’s TVNZ have already bought the series from Fox Entertainment Global (FEG), the U.S. network’s international distribution outfit, and it marks the first such deal between Channel 4 and FEG.In Animal Control, one of Fox’s most prominent originals of the past year that was recently recommissioned, McHale plays Frank, an opinionated, eccentric animal control officer and ex-cop who, after a failed attempt at exposing corruption in his police department, finds himself incarcerating animals and becoming all the more cynical and curmudgeonly. The show also stars Vella Lovell (Mr. Mayor), Ravi Patel (Master of None), Grace Palmer (Shortland Street), Alvina August (The Boys), Kelli Ogmundson (Cavendish), Gerry Dee (Mr. D) and newcomer Michael Rowland. Fox has said it is the most streamed launch in network history.“Joel McHale’s brilliant portrayal of Frank, together with the entire cast’s unmistakable chemistry, have not gone unnoticed by buyers who appreciate cleverly written comedies with bold characters and relatable stories to a global audience,” said Tony Vassiliadis, FEG’s Chief Operating Officer. He struck the deal with outgoing Channel 4 Head of Acquisitions Nick Lee, who called the show a “fresh and clever comedy with a stellar cast.”Earlier this month, Deadline revealed that Fox Entertainment had struck a first-of-its-kind drama development deal with a trio of European producers and is eying similar international deals.Animal Control is produced by Fox Entertainment Studios and distributed by FEG. It is executive produced by Bob Fisher (Wedding Crashers, Sirens, The Moodys), Rob Greenberg (Frasier, How I Met Your Mother, The Moodys), Dan Sterling (Long Shot, The Interview, Girls, The Office, King of the Hill), Tad Quill (Scrubs, The Moodys) and McHale.
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