Evan Goes Wild | Sunday, 9 p.m., Animal Planet
There’s a new “McDreamy” on TV, but you won’t find him on “Grey’s Anatomy.”
California veterinarian Dr. Evan Antin brings his chiseled jaw, bulging biceps and bedroom eyes — oh, and surgical skills — to Animal Planet’s “Evan Goes Wild.” Crowned “Sexiest Veterinarian Alive” (twice) and “Sexiest Beast Charmer” by People magazine, Dr. Antin will showcase such wildlife as crocodiles, jaguars, elephants and apes from Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula to the Philippines. In the first of the season’s eight episodes he’ll head to Tahiti to visit a turtle sanctuary and to fulfill a longtime dream of swimming with humpback whales. When he’s not working, the 34-year-old vet can be found posing with puppies, cuddling with cats and befriending beasts large and small for his 1.1 million Instagram fans. Antin has his own brood at home — a dog, two cats, a lizard, a tortoise, a snake and “some fish.” (And to answer a pressing question: Sorry, but he’s engaged.)
Antin spoke with The Post by phone from Puerto Rico, where he was with friends on his “first real, chill vacation in probably years.”
What was your reaction when People first honored your hunkiness?
They called me the “Sexiest Beast Charmer,” which isn’t really any profession, but it was fun. I’m not working toward being the sexiest anything — that’s not really my MO. It’s just more opportunity for me to connect with people about veterinary medicine, wildlife conservation and what I’m passionate about.
Dr. Antin gets a closer look at an elephant.Animal Planet
Have your looks been a hindrance at all?
It’s actually funny. I wanted to do a show for years, and networks were like, “You know, he’s a pretty boy — he’s not what we’re looking for.” I’ve always considered myself more like a rugged Steve Irwin type. I work with crocodiles and venomous snakes; I’m not just with puppies and kittens and trying to be sexy all day. But that was the biggest hindrance and things worked out in the end. I’ve got my dream show. Overall, it’s been a positive thing.
I must note that two minutes into the first episode you do remove your shirt.
Yeah. [Laughs] I do. Honestly, here’s the thing: I’m being myself. So, yeah, when I go swimming in the ocean, like many people I’m not wearing a shirt. I’m not trying to do more or less for the camera, really.
What’s your favorite animal encounter?
Swimming with whales was really epic, something I’ve been dreaming about for years, and to finally get in the water with them and literally swim with these humpback whales — mostly mothers and calves, 12 or 13 whales — that blew my mind.
I read that your favorite animal is the crocodile — is that true?
Yeah, I love crocs! I’m fascinated by them — they’re modern-day dinosaurs. Crocs can be extremely dangerous, especially bigger ones. I’ve been bitten several times. Once I got bit by a 6-footer — he ripped a hole in my forearm, so you could see my tendons and muscle and stuff underneath. That spikes your adrenaline a bit; when you’re in the moment you don’t feel it.
And you also like cobras?
I’ve handled some cobras in South Africa and in Indonesia. Not super extensive — not any big medical work-ups on them. More often I caught them; I love seeing them in the wild. They’re beautiful.
That just seems scary.
[Laughs] Most people don’t get it.
And here’s what else to watch this week: Whiskey Cavalier | Wednesday, 10 p.m., ABC
Series premiere. FBI agent Will Chase (Scott Foley) is assigned to work with CIA operative Frankie Trowbridge (Lauren Cohan). He’s all heart, she’s clinical. Maybe there’s sexual tension. Maybe not. Enjoy the European backdrops, forget the predictable plot.
Riverdale | Wednesday, 8 p.m., The CW
As Veronica (Camila Mendes) steers Hiram (Mark Consuelos) away from the drug business, Gladys (Gina Gershon) throws a wrench into her plan. Archie’s (KJ Apa) rush to get into the boxing ring lands him in hot water.
The Widow | Friday, Amazon
Series premiere. Poor Georgia Wells (Kate Beckinsale). Her husband has disappeared and she ventures to the Congo to find out what happened. While many people believe him dead, a series of events makes it seem otherwise.
Modern Family | Wednesday, 9 p.m., ABC
Lily (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons) arrives at a womanly milestone that her two dads, Cam (Eric Stonestreet) and Mitch (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), are not ready for, so they call in reinforcements.
The Good Doctor | Monday, 10 p.m., ABC
The new chief of surgery, Dr. Jackson Han (Daniel Dae Kim), believes Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) is a liability more than an asset and works to keep him out of the operating room permanently. Kim is also an executive producer on the show.
A Million Little Things | Thursday, 9 p.m., ABC
Season finale. While Jon’s (Ron Livingston) loved ones begin to accept that they may never understand his suicide, one person decides to dig further into the mystery behind Barbara Morgan. With Stephanie Szostak and Lizzy Greene.
The Enemy Within | Monday, 10 p.m., NBC
Series premiere. Former CIA agent and traitor Erica Shepherd (Jennifer Carpenter) is brought out of a federal prison by FBI Agent Will Keaton (Morris Chestnut) to help stop some of the most dangerous acts of espionage threatening the US today. Scary!
