James Patterson's New Show 'Zoo' Unleashed This Summer on CBS!

What if animals' instinct kicked in? What if they decided to communicate, to fight back for all the injustice we've done to them? Unleashing this summer is CBS' TV series Zoo, adapted from a novel by the New York Times Bestselling author James Patterson. The show spins animal cruelty on its head and tells the story of what humans would do if animals, both domesticated and wild, fought against the human race. We're introduced to a brilliant and diverse cast with James Wolk (You Again and The Crazy Ones), Billy Burke (Twilight), Kristen Connolly (Cabin in the Woods and The Happening), Nonzo Anozie and Nora Arnezeder.

The show relies on the urgency and the global effect of the animal behavior at first taking place in Los Angeles, where two lions escape from the local zoo and claim a few victims. We are then taken to Africa where one of our lead characters, Jackson Oz (Wolk) tries to make sense of the video ramblings of his father, who predicted that something "was to come." While there, a French safari is savagely attacked and Jackson is forced to rescue and aid the only survivor, played by Nora Arnezeder. Meanwhile in New Orleans, reporter Jamie Campbell (Connolly) tries to make sense of the odd animal behavior taking place in a local zoo that may or may not have anything to do with what the animals are being fed.

Zoo follows the type of genre that CBS often produces over the summer, similar to Under the Dome and Extant. Variety criticizes these shows by saying that they are "rather mindless serialized thrillers partly underwritten by international sales and CBS' Amazon deal — and, alas, under-written as well." However, Zoo is the type of show that escapes the usual during regular television series seasons. One of the highest grossing networks, CBS tends to lean on the formulaic, cop drama episodes, without as much character building and philosophical tendencies as some other networks.

The next episode of Zoo airs Tuesday July 14 at 9 p.m. Tune in to CBS or CBS.com for full episodes. Check out the first look and promotional video here!