ANIMATED ADULT TELEVISION SERIES "ANIMALS.," CREATED BY PHIL MATARESE & MIKE LUCIANO, FROM DUPLASS BROTHERS PRODUCTIONS, RETURNS FOR ITS SECOND SEASON MARCH 17, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO

New York City, Earth's least habitable environment, is home to a host of downtrodden creatures. Whether it's lovelorn rats, gender-questioning pigeons or aging bedbugs in the midst of a midlife crisis, the awkward small talk, moral ambiguity and existential woes of these non-human urbanites prove startlingly similar to our own.

Created by Phil Matarese & Mike Luciano, from Duplass Brothers Productions, the animated adult television series ANIMALS. returns for its ten-episode second season FRIDAY, MARCH 17 (11:30 p.m.-midnight ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

The series is also available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and affiliate portals.

Matarese and Luciano voice many of the characters on the show, which also features guest voiceover artists, including Jason Alexander, Fred Armisen, Katie Aselton, Big Boi, Alex Borstein, Emilia Clarke, Andy Dick, Mark Duplass, Kim Gordon, Judy Greer, Tim Heidecker, January Jones, Mindy Kaling, Killer Mike, Harmony Korine, Lauren Lapkus, Jon Lovitz, Demetri Martin, Thomas Middleditch, Vincent Pastore, Michael Pitt, Michael Rapaport, Andy Richter, RuPaul, Pauly Shore, Raven Symone and Usher.

Upcoming episodes:

Episode #11 (season 2, episode 1): "Rats."

Debut: FRIDAY, MARCH 17 (11:30 p.m.-midnight ET/PT)

While stuck in an animal testing lab, rats Mike and Phil enter a love triangle with their imaginary friend, which inadvertently reveals the truth of their situation. Two fleas discuss their basketball dreams and ponder life while stuck on a monkey's back. An algae questions its existence.

Written and directed by Phil Matarese and Mike Luciano.

Episode #12 (season 2, episode 2): "Pigeons."

Debut: FRIDAY, MARCH 24 (11:30 p.m.-midnight)

As a virus sweeps New York, teen pigeon Jacob's jealousy over his angelic little brother prompts a wacky spirit quest that teaches him about courage and responsibility. Two foxes rap about a hard-knock life on the city streets.

Written and directed by Phil Matarese and Mike Luciano.

Episode #13 (season 2, episode 3): "Roaches."

Debut: FRIDAY, MARCH 31 (11:30 p.m.-midnight)

When an exterminator puts a roach town in crisis, the survivors band together to travel to the world outside their wall and guarantee the survival of their species. Stuck together by a piece of litter, a group of seagulls struggles to live as one.

Written and directed by Phil Matarese and Mike Luciano.

The animation for ANIMALS. was created with Starburns Industries, the studio known for the TV series "Rick & Morty" and the feature film "Anomalisa."

ANIMALS. was created by Phil Matarese & Mike Luciano; executive producers, Mark Duplass & Jay Duplass; executive producers, directors, writers, voices, Phil Matarese & Mike Luciano; co-executive producer, Jen Roskind; producers, Jen Roskind, James Fino, Joe Russo II, Kenny Micka.