Zoo Information

Zoo is an American drama television series based on the 2012 novel of the same name by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge. The series premiered on June 30, 2015, on CBS, and concluded the 13-episode first season on September 15, 2015. On October 2, 2015, Zoo was renewed by CBS for a second season, which premiered on June 28, 2016. On August 10, 2016, CBS renewed the series for a third season.

Plot

Violent animal attacks upon humans are occurring all over the world. Jackson Oz, an American zoologist and his Kenyan friend, Abraham, a safari guide, as well as a Los Angeles reporter, a quirky veterinary pathologist, and a French intelligence agent all seek to investigate the mysterious pandemic as the attacks become more coordinated and ferocious.

Cast

Main

• James Wolk as Jackson Oz, a zoologist
• Kristen Connolly as Jamie Campbell, a journalist
• Nonso Anozie as Abraham Kenyatta, a safari guide
• Nora Arnezeder as Chloe Tousignant, a French intelligence investigator
• Billy Burke as Dr. Mitch Morgan, a veterinary pathologist
• Alyssa Diaz as Dariela Marzan (season 2)
• Josh Salatin as Logan Jones (season 2)

Guest

• Brian Tee as Philip Weber
• Tamara Tunie as Brenda Montgomery
• Tamlyn Tomita as Minako Oz
• Jay Paulson as Leo Butler
• James DuMont as Dr. Humbolt Swinney
• Simon Kassianides as Jean-Michel Lion
• Scottie Thompson as Sheriff Rebecca Bowman
• David Jensen as Victor Holman

Recurring

• Ken Olin as Professor Robert Oz
• Bess Armstrong as Dr. Elizabeth Oz
• Benoit Cransac as Pascal
• Henri Lubatti as Gaspard Alves
• Marcus Hester as Evan Lee Hartley
• Carl Lumbly as Thomas Delavenne
• Geoff Stults as FBI Agent Ben Shaffer
• Madison Wolfe as Clementine Lewis
• Anastasia Griffith as Audra Lewis
• Gonzalo Menendez as Gustavo Silva
• Michael Scott as Enzo
• Yvonne Welch as Gabriela Machado
• Steven Culp as Clayton Burke
• Xander Berkeley as Ronnie "Dogstick" Brannigan
• Warren Christie as Ray Endicott
• Jayne Atkinson as Amelia Sage
• April Grace as Eleanor
• Tom Butler as Greg Trotter
• Peter Outerbridge as General Davies
• Joanne Kelly as Allison Shaw
• Edward Foy as Father Pete Harris

Production

In October 2013, it was announced that CBS had given Zoo "a rare pilot production commitment for a pitch originating from sibling CBS TV Studios." In July 2014, the series was given a 13-episode straight-to-series order and added to the network's summer schedule.

On October 2, 2015, the series was renewed for a second season, which started airing on June 28, 2016.

On August 10, 2016, CBS renewed the series for a third season.

Casting

James Wolk was the first to be cast, in November 2014, followed later the same month by Nora Arnezeder and Nonso Anozie. The main cast was rounded out in January 2015, with Kristen Connolly and Billy Burke. In February, Geoff Stults was cast in a recurring role for a "multi-episode arc". In March, Carl Lumbly was cast in a recurring role.

In March, 2016, Josh Salatin and Alyssa Diaz were added to the cast as series regulars in season 2. In April, Joanne Kelly was cast in a recurring role.

Filming

The series started filming in New Orleans in January 2015. Production for season 2 began filming in February 2016 in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Broadcast

Zoo aired in Australia after fast-tracking each episode to air the day after the U.S. The series was simulcast in Canada, and it also airs in Britain.