Animal Control Season 4: Vella Lovell teases Emily getting 'messier' and cliffhanger

In an interview with Collider published Jan. 29, 2026, Animal Control star Vella Lovell says Season 4 sees her character Emily Price get 'messier this season' as a secret relationship with coworker Shred immediately starts affecting her work. Lovell also teases the season builds toward an explosive cliffhanger and includes another Community reunion plus a real-time parody of a modern spy thriller.

Four episodes into Season 4, Lovell says the Emily-and-Shred romance is visible but shrouded, and Emily's people-pleasing instincts are colliding with workplace ethics. Lovell explains Emily is breaking rules as a boss, trying to control aspects of the relationship, and is 'out of her depth' while also growing into a more confident leader.

Lovell describes a 'trickle effect' as the secret spills into the precinct: Victoria (Grace Palmer) becomes the first crack, forcing vulnerability but ultimately repair in their friendship. At the same time, Templeton (Gerry Dee) is now a regular presence and, per Lovell, 'a total threat' as a merger puts Emily's job and authority at risk.

Lovell also teases guest turns and episode highlights, including Jim Rash from Community guest-starring, a 24-style real-time spoof, and appearances by Thomas Lennon, Josh Segarra and Joel McHale. She says the expanded ensemble and new dynamics give the season more comedic and dramatic beats to play with.

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