CBS' summer drama slate is in full swing this week with the debut of its new thriller "Zoo" and the return of sci fi "Extant."
"Zoo" is based on the best-selling novel of James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge. It stars James Wolk, who plays zoologist Jackson Oz. Oz believes that animals are coordinating attacks on humans across the globe.
He teams up with Chloe (Nora Arnezeder), a Frenchwoman he rescued when lions started their killing spree in the African safari camps. Together, they start looking for answers on why animals are rising up in organized rebellion against people.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, reporter Jamie Campbell (Kristen Connolly) has traced that toxic feeds that seem to cause strange behaviors in animals to a biotechnology corporation.
The New York Times described the thriller as "expertly made and fits the current fascination with dystopian what-if scenarios, but it's basic. There isn't anything visually innovative or daring about "Zoo." The characters, dialogue and pacing are all very familiar."
Variety praised Wolk as "a likable presence as the reluctant hero," but wanted the plot to show more "teeth."
"[Zoo] does mesh reasonably well with the kind of dramas CBS has trotted out during the summer which qualify as rather mindless serialized thrillers partly underwritten by international sales and CBS' Amazon deal — and, alas, under-written as well."
Halle Berry, meanwhile, will reprise her role as astronaut Molly Woods on the second run of the sci fi drama "Extant." She will team up with J.D. Richter (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), a cop who will help her save the world from her alien son.
In an interview with Yahoo! TV, new executive producer Liz Krugen described Season 2 as "a little sexier, a little soapier."
"There is a significant amount of new casting that changes the landscape of what we're doing, and it's less about Molly as mom, and more about Molly as warrior. Molly as a sexy warrior," she explained.
"Extant" Season 2 will air on CBS July 1.
