Animated Animals Get Explicit in New Netflix Comedy

Netflix has released "Mating Season," a new animated comedy from the creative team behind "Big Mouth." The series introduces a community of talking forest animals who, despite their animalistic habits, navigate human-like dating and romance.

Co-created by Nick Kroll, Andrew Goldberg, Mark Levin, and Jennifer Flackett, the show evolves their signature sex comedy style. Kroll noted the concept emerged from discussions about new projects, with the title "Mating Season" sparking immediate interest. The creative team saw an opportunity to continue their storytelling by focusing on adults in the dating world.

The series functions more like a hangout sitcom, centering on four friends: Josh the bear, Ray the raccoon, Fawn the deer, and Penelope the fox. Their adventures at the forest trading post and personal romantic challenges, like breakups and attending exes' weddings, mirror experiences of those in their late twenties and thirties.

Kroll emphasized that, unlike "Big Mouth" which drew from childhoods, "Mating Season" is more contained, focusing intently on its core ensemble. This approach aims to establish a strong audience connection by focusing on these four characters initially, with plans to expand the world and introduce guest stars gradually.

During production, the team developed world-building elements like character behaviors and societal norms. Improvisation played a significant role, particularly when actors recorded together, leading to sharper performances and added jokes. Kroll particularly enjoyed voicing Ray the raccoon, fulfilling a long-standing fascination with the animal.