Mad Men’s James Wolk to star in CBS nature run amok series Zoo

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Back in July we learned that CBS had ordered 13 episodes of "Zoo", which is based on James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge's novel of the same name and concerns animals attempting to take back the world. Now the first cast member for the series has been locked in as we've learned that "Mad Men" and "The Crazy Ones" actor James Wolk has signed on to star.

The adaptation was penned by Jeff Pinkner (Fringe), Josh Appelbaum (Life on Mars, Star-Crossed), Andre Nemec (Star-Crossed) and Scott Rosenberg (Life on Mars), all of whom will executive produce as well.

Here's the book's synopsis:

All over the world, brutal attacks are crippling entire cities. Jackson Oz, a young biologist, watches the escalating events with an increasing sense of dread. When he witnesses a coordinated lion ambush in Africa, the enormity of the violence to come becomes terrifyingly clear. With the help of ecologist Chloe Tousignant, Oz races to warn world leaders before it's too late. The attacks are growing in ferocity, cunning, and planning, and soon there will be no place left for humans to hide.

The plan is to air "Zoo" at some point next summer. The series will be distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and worldwide by CBS Studios International.