Animal Kingdom is a crime drama TV series that premiered in 2016. It follows the Cody family, a tight-knit but dangerous clan living in Southern California. The show is loosely based on the 2010 Australian film of the same name.
The story begins when 17-year-old Joshua “J” Cody moves in with his estranged grandmother, Janine “Smurf” Cody, after his mother dies of a heroin overdose. Smurf is the matriarch of the family and controls her adult sons with a mix of manipulation and affection. The Codys survive by pulling off high-stakes heists and criminal jobs.
J quickly gets drawn into the family’s illegal activities. He learns the ropes from his uncles: Pope, the unstable and violent eldest; Craig, the reckless thrill-seeker; and Deran, the youngest, who struggles with his identity. Smurf keeps them all under her thumb, using money and emotional leverage to maintain control.
As J becomes more involved, he starts questioning his place in the family. He navigates loyalty, betrayal, and his own ambitions while trying to survive in their dangerous world. The series explores themes of power, family bonds, and the consequences of a life of crime.
Over six seasons, the Codys face internal conflicts, rival gangs, and law enforcement. Smurf’s grip on the family weakens as tensions rise, leading to explosive betrayals and violent confrontations. The show blends intense action with deep character drama, keeping viewers hooked until its dramatic conclusion.
Animal Kingdom – TV Series – Season 1 – Summary
Animal Kingdom Season 1 follows the Cody family, a dangerous crime clan led by the ruthless matriarch Janine “Smurf” Cody. The story begins when 17-year-old Joshua “J” Cody moves in with his estranged grandmother and uncles after his mother dies of a heroin overdose. J quickly learns that the Codys survive by pulling off high-stakes heists, and he must adapt to their dangerous lifestyle.
Smurf rules the family with a mix of manipulation and affection, keeping her sons—Pope, Craig, Deran, and Baz—under her control. Each son has a distinct role: Pope is the unstable enforcer, Craig is the reckless thrill-seeker, Deran is the rebellious youngest, and Baz is the strategic but ambitious adopted son. J navigates their world cautiously, unsure who to trust.
The season revolves around several heists, including a daring armored truck robbery. Tensions rise as Baz secretly plots to take over the family business, while Smurf tightens her grip on her sons. J begins to assert himself, showing a natural talent for crime but also harboring his own secrets.
Relationships within the family grow strained as betrayals and power struggles emerge. Pope’s violent tendencies escalate, Deran struggles with his sexuality, and Craig battles addiction. Meanwhile, J starts uncovering dark truths about his mother’s past and Smurf’s true nature.
By the season’s end, J fully integrates into the Cody family’s criminal world, but his loyalty remains uncertain. A shocking twist reveals Baz may not be as untouchable as he thinks, setting the stage for even darker conflicts in Season 2.
Animal Kingdom – TV Series – Season 1 – Trailer
Animal Kingdom – TV Series – Season 2 – Summary
Season 2 of Animal Kingdom picks up after the death of Smurf’s son Baz, leaving the Cody family in turmoil. Smurf tightens her grip on the family, manipulating her grandsons—J, Craig, and Deran—to maintain control. J, still adjusting to the criminal lifestyle, becomes more involved in jobs but grows increasingly wary of Smurf’s influence.
The tension between the brothers escalates as Deran struggles with his sexuality and his relationship with Adrian. Craig battles addiction and his reckless behavior, putting the family at risk. Pope, dealing with his violent tendencies and guilt over past actions, becomes more unstable.
Smurf’s past is explored through flashbacks, revealing her early years raising Baz, Julia, and Pope. These moments shed light on her ruthless nature and the origins of the family’s dysfunction. Meanwhile, the Codys take on bigger heists, including a risky armored truck robbery, testing their loyalty to each other.
As the season progresses, J starts secretly plotting against Smurf, aligning himself with a detective to gather information. The season ends with Smurf’s arrest, leaving the family vulnerable and J poised to make his move for power. The dynamics shift, setting the stage for a fierce power struggle in Season 3.
Animal Kingdom – TV Series – Season 2 – Trailer
![Animal Kingdom: Season 2 [TRAILER] | TNT](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/j-XD5aBO-RM/0.jpg)
Animal Kingdom – TV Series – Season 3 – Summary
Season 3 of Animal Kingdom picks up with the Cody family dealing with the fallout from Smurf’s arrest. As she fights to regain control of her empire from behind bars, the power dynamics within the family shift. J, Deran, and Craig struggle to maintain their independence while navigating Smurf’s manipulative tactics.
J continues to assert himself, taking on more responsibility in the family’s criminal operations. His growing ambition puts him at odds with his uncles, especially Deran, who resents J’s increasing influence. Meanwhile, Deran faces personal challenges as he grapples with his sexuality and his turbulent relationship with Adrian.
Craig’s reckless behavior escalates, leading to dangerous situations. His drug use and impulsive decisions strain his relationships with the family and his girlfriend, Renn. Pope remains the most unpredictable, wrestling with his violent tendencies and loyalty to Smurf.
Smurf, ever the puppeteer, uses her legal troubles to test her sons’ loyalty. She manipulates them from jail, ensuring they remain dependent on her. The season builds to a high-stakes heist that tests the family’s unity, ending with shocking betrayals and a major death that leaves the Codys reeling.
The tension between J and Smurf reaches new heights, setting the stage for an even more explosive Season 4. The Cody family’s bonds are stretched to the limit as trust erodes and everyone fights for their own survival.
Animal Kingdom – TV Series – Season 3 – Trailer
Animal Kingdom – TV Series – Season 4 – Summary
Animal Kingdom Season 4 continues the high-stakes drama of the Cody family as they navigate power struggles, betrayals, and dangerous heists. With Smurf imprisoned, the brothers—J, Craig, Deran, and Pope—must figure out how to run the family business without her control. Tensions rise as each brother asserts his own vision for the future, leading to conflicts and shifting alliances.
J takes on a more dominant role, proving he’s just as cunning as Smurf. He forms a secret partnership with Billy, Deran’s estranged father, to expand their criminal empire. Meanwhile, Deran struggles with his relationship with Adrian, who is under FBI surveillance, forcing Deran to make a heartbreaking decision to protect the family.
Craig tries to balance fatherhood with his reckless lifestyle, but his loyalty is tested when his girlfriend, Renn, pushes him to leave the Codys’ dangerous world. Pope, still haunted by his violent past, grows increasingly unstable, especially when Smurf manipulates him from prison.
Smurf, though behind bars, remains a powerful force, pulling strings through her lawyer and using her knowledge of past crimes to control the boys. Her health deteriorates, but she refuses to relinquish power, setting the stage for a explosive family showdown.
The season culminates in a deadly confrontation, leaving the Codys fractured and setting up new conflicts for the future. Betrayals, secrets, and violence define Season 4, proving that even without Smurf’s direct control, the Cody family’s bonds are as destructive as they are unbreakable.
Animal Kingdom – TV Series – Season 4 – Trailer
Animal Kingdom – TV Series – Season 5 – Summary
Animal Kingdom Season 5 continues the high-stakes drama of the Cody family as they navigate new threats and shifting alliances. With Smurf gone, the brothers struggle for control of the family business, each with their own vision for the future.
Pope grapples with his violent tendencies and the weight of past actions while trying to step into a leadership role. Deran faces pressure from both his business and personal life, including unresolved tensions with Adrian. Craig tries to balance fatherhood with his reckless lifestyle, often clashing with Renn.
J, now more calculating than ever, maneuvers to take full control of the Cody empire, playing his uncles against each other. The arrival of a dangerous new enemy, a cartel-connected smuggler named Pete, forces the Codys to work together despite their distrust.
Flashbacks reveal young Smurf’s early days building her criminal empire, showing her ruthless ambition and the origins of her complicated relationships with her sons. As the season progresses, betrayals and violence escalate, leaving the family more fractured than ever.
The explosive finale sets up a deadly new chapter, with J making a bold power move that could change the Cody dynasty forever. Loyalties are tested, and no one is safe as the Codys face an uncertain future.
Animal Kingdom – TV Series – Season 5 – Trailer
![Animal Kingdom: Season 5 Premieres July 11, 2021 [TRAILER] | TNT](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rGZjrERR4qI/0.jpg)
Animal Kingdom – TV Series – Season 6 – Summary
Animal Kingdom Season 6 continues the high-stakes drama of the Cody family as they navigate power struggles, betrayals, and dangerous heists. With Smurf gone, the brothers—J, Craig, Deran, and Pope—fight for control of the family empire while dealing with their own personal demons.
J’s ambition grows as he solidifies his position as the new leader, but his ruthless decisions create tension with his uncles. Craig struggles with fatherhood and his relationship with Renn, while Deran faces the fallout of his failed business and personal losses. Pope grapples with his violent tendencies and the weight of his past crimes.
The season ramps up with intense heists, shifting alliances, and unexpected betrayals. As external threats close in, the Codys must decide whether to stick together or let their family crumble. The explosive finale brings shocking twists, leaving their futures uncertain and setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the series.
Animal Kingdom – TV Series – Season 6 – Trailer
