Pulling from the Australian film of the same name, Season 1 of Animal Kingdom dropped on TNT in 2016 and quickly garnered positive reviews. Fans and critics alike were captivated by the series' twisted family drama, high-octane action sequences and the cast's strong performances, with Ellen Barkin earning significant praise for her portrayal of the ruthless matriarch Janine "Smurf" Cody. Six years later, the show is still beloved. However, the impending sixth season will be Animal Kingdom's last.The Cody family has come a long way from their Season 1 introductions. The show lost two of its biggest players in Ellen Barkin's Smurf and Scott Speedman's Baz. Barkin's departure significantly rocked Animal Kingdom, resulting in new struggles and threats for the Cody boys and flashback storylines to dive into a young Smurf's life. As such, Season 6 will be continuing the flashback trend and story arcs established in Season 5. Here is everything we know so far about Animal Kingdom's final season, including plot details, release date and casting news.EDITOR'S NOTE: This article has been updated to include information about Season 6's latest trailer.
What Will Animal Kingdom Season 6 Be About?
Animal Kingdom Season 5 concluded on a major cliffhanger, with the police (finally) discovering the body of Catherine Blackwell (Daniella Alonso), the wife of the now-deceased Baz (Smurf's adopted son). Pope (Shawn Hatosy) murdered Cath back in Season 1 under orders from Smurf, who feared Cath planned on talking to the feds. Pope's guilt about killing Cath has been a significant part of his story arc. However, with both Baz and Smurf gone, no one else knows about the murder. As such, the discovery is sure to elicit new drama and danger. Considering the Codys are Oceanside's most wanted crime family, the police will likely try using Cath's murder as the puzzle piece to bring them all down.
There is also the issue of declaring a ruler for the "kingdom." Since Smurf's death, J and Deran have grappled with co-leading the family and their criminal escapades as Craig fell back into drug addiction while struggling to provide for Renn (Christina Ochoa) and their infant son. Pam (Charlayne Woodard), an old friend of Smurf's, also showed up in Season 5 with a legal claim to Smurf's estate, much to the boys' dismay. With that storyline feeling somewhat unsatisfactory, it's possible Pam and her family will reappear in Season 6, whether in the present timeline or in flashback.
Who Is in Animal Kingdom Season 6’s Cast?
The Cody family will reunite in Season 6, with Shawn Hatosy, Finn Cole, Ben Robson and Jake Weary reprising their roles as Pope, J, Craig and Deran, respectively. Some of Animal Kingdom's flashback crew will also be returning, including Rigo Sanchez as Young Manny, Jon Beavers as Young Jake and, of course, Leila George as Young Smurf. With the flashback sequences jumping forward in time, George will be portraying an older version of Smurf. As such, fans will get new insight into some of the Cody kids as teenagers/young adults.
As reported by Variety, Jasper Polish will be playing Julia (replacing a younger Scarlett Abinante), Smurf's daughter and Pope's twin. She is described as " beautiful, intelligent, and edgy. Although she’s an excellent student, she’s also the type of chick who sells tabs of LSD because she thinks it’s cool. She’s torn between loving and hating her mother, Smurf." Kevin Csolak will replace Houston Towe as Andrew "Pope" Cody, who is "intense and struggling with an undiagnosed mental illness. He possesses a simmering rage but also instinctively searches for redemption as he struggles with his darkest impulses. He is completely devoted to Smurf, to his best friend Baz and his twin sister Julia."
For the first time, Animal Kingdom fans will also get a look at a younger Baz, played by Darren Mann. Much like his older counterpart, younger Baz is described as "a charismatic opportunist who will do whatever is necessary to ensure his own safety. He’s not above pitting the other kids against each other in his effort to ingratiate himself with Smurf, who sees him more as a partner (both personally and professionally) than as her adopted son." Rounding out the cast will also be Stevie Lynn Jones as Penny, a new character who is "an intelligent, beautiful young woman in her early 20s. A rule breaker in her youth, she’s trying to stay on the straight and narrow. She’s stuck in a loveless marriage to a Marine. She and J become close, dangerously close."
Does Animal Kingdom Season 6 Have a Trailer?
Animal Kingdom released a promo for Season 6 following Season 5's finale.
TNT also released Season 6's first official trailer on April 6, 2022. Along with the expected action and police snooping, the teaser suggests the Cody boys plan to start fresh by performing "one last job."
TNT dropped Animal Kingdom Season 6's second (and likely final) trailer on June 2, 2022. Along with touting the Cody family motto, "May we get what we need but never what we deserve," the latest trailer teases more of the upcoming action and drama. Along with dealing with the investigation into Cath's murder and family power struggles, a brief scene, coupled with Craig's words of "I promise you I'm going to get our son back," suggests a kidnapping scenario involving Craig and Renn's son. The new trailer also confirms the return of Denis Leary's Billy and Reynaldo Gallegos' Pete Trujillo.
Does Animal Kingdom Season 6 Have a Release Date?
Along with Animal Kingdom's first Season 6 trailer, TNT confirmed the series will be returning Sunday, June 19, 2022, a month later than its historical May releases. That said, IMDb suggests the final season will run 13 episodes.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.