Inside 'Mating Season': How Sex Jokes And Emotional Stakes Create A Wild Ride

The Next Chapter in Adult Animation

The masterminds behind Big Mouth have taken their talent for transforming adolescent turmoil into comedic gold and applied it to adulthood in Netflix's Mating Season. Co-creator Mark Levin shares their vision: "We wanted something to fall in love with and to tell honest stories, even if it's through animals." This animated series, crafted by Levin, Jennifer Flackett, Andrew Goldberg, and Nick Kroll with Titmouse animation studio, shifts from teenage angst to adult dilemmas in a world of amorous animals.

Set amongst adventurous bears, raccoons, and other woodland creatures, Mating Season is a rom-com that explores the pursuit of connection – both physical and emotional. Flackett explains, "Big Mouth was about a specific life phase. We wanted to explore that time when you're in your 20s and searching for 'your person.'" Initially considered as a feature, the expansive narratives led to the series format, enabling deeper storytelling.

Animals Behaving Like People

In an inventive twist, Mating Season uses animals to reflect human behaviors. Flackett highlights the comedic potential: "With animals, sex is funnier, and you can engage without cringing." This setup allows the team to explore humor and heart through a mix of instinct and interaction, grounded in contemporary romance.

"We want to be talking about how we live now," Flackett says. "Finding love remains endlessly fascinating to us."

Extensive research into animal behaviors enriches the metaphors, with the team diving deep into nature docs. Goldberg shares, "We love writing, learning, and researching – it's all part of the fun." Yet despite its cheeky exterior, the core of Mating Season is emotional connection, reminding us that relationships, like nature, are both wild and tender.

Animating the Wild World

The show’s visual identity finds humor in the animal-human divide. As animation supervisor Anthony Lioi recalls, balancing upright and instinctive modes presented unique challenges. "Fawn the deer stands on two legs, but shifts to all fours during primal moments," he says. These transitions became comedic beats, complementing the show's thematic core.

Goldberg elaborates on these choices, noting, "They act like people until instinct kicks in." This dynamic led to new comedic opportunities, as seen in characters like Ray Raccoon, whose size compared to his friends opened up a world of physical gags.

Creative Partnerships and Process

The series extends the fruitful collaboration between Netflix and Titmouse, enhancing the show’s appeal. Goldberg credits Titmouse's artist-friendly environment: "Their vibe and freedom stood out, which was crucial for our creative process." Lioi agrees, emphasizing the importance of a flexible production pipeline that allowed for constant refinement.

Flackett asserts that the process is as crucial as the product: "Creating a repeatable, enjoyable process is key. You can't predict audience reaction, but you can control the journey of making it." Ultimately, Mating Season is as much about the chaos of love as it is about the joyous chaos behind the scenes, ensuring that every step of its creation is imbued with passion and purpose.