Review: Jason Schwartzman and Aubrey Plaza Shine in Amazon’s ‘Kevin’ Cat Cartoon

Kevin is a new animated series on Prime Video that follows a tuxedo cat who leaves his human owners after they break up. The show premiered Monday, April 20 and unfolds across eight half-hour episodes.

Premise and setting

The central story tracks Kevin as he navigates life alone in New York. He seeks new friends, explores neighborhoods, and reconsiders what he wants from relationships. The world mixes human and animal life in an anthropomorphized New York City.

Animals speak English and share spaces with people. Yet they rarely appear to hold steady jobs or sign leases. The tone sits somewhere between The Secret Life of Pets and Bojack Horseman.

Cast and creators

The series stars Jason Schwartzman as the voice of Kevin. Aubrey Plaza voices Dana, one of Kevin’s former owners, and also co-created the show.

Joe Wengert co-created the series with Plaza. The ensemble includes Amy Sedaris, John Waters, Whoopi Goldberg, Aparna Nancherla, and Gil Ozeri. Patti LuPone guest voices a Broadway-themed character.

Key characters

• Kevin — voiced by Jason Schwartzman, a tuxedo cat at the story’s center.
• Dana — voiced by Aubrey Plaza, part of Kevin’s former human couple.
• Seth — an animal shelter manager voiced by Gil Ozeri.
• Armando — an imperious Persian voiced by John Waters.
• Judy — a frail, dopey kitten voiced by Aparna Nancherla.
• Seth’s Shih Tzu — bossy, voiced by Amy Sedaris.
• Cupcake — a resourceful feral cat voiced by Whoopi Goldberg.

Plot highlights

After a rough night in Central Park, Kevin arrives at Furrever Friends shelter in Astoria, Queens. There he joins an oddball group of animals and adapts to shelter life.

Subplots include a colony of ants naming Judy their queen and a surreal encounter with a sentient slice called Rat Pizza. Patti LuPone voices an equine Broadway star named Patti LuPony.

Humor and tone

The series blends hangout comedy beats with absurdist gags. Early episodes are uneven, with jokes that land differently for viewers.

Some humor aims for edge, including a gag about a duck’s unusual anatomy. Other lines rely on familiar cat tropes, creating occasional tonal mismatches.

Character moments and themes

Warmth emerges as the episodes progress. Characters support one another through heartbreak and uncertainty.

The show explores what companionship means for pets and people. Press materials say the series draws on a real cat and a real breakup.

Notable supporting details

• Cupcake runs online side hustles on an OnlyFans-like platform.
• She also sells unusual items via the dark web, a recurring odd detail.
• Armando offers conservative, heartfelt advice to younger animals.

Final take

In this review, Jason Schwartzman and Aubrey Plaza play key roles in Amazon’s Kevin, a new cat cartoon. The show often feels like a New York hangout comedy with a feline twist.

The series is not flawless, but it finds genuine moments of humor and heart. Fans of character-driven animated comedies should find plenty to enjoy.