The TNT drama Animal Kingdom followed the Codys, a criminal family governed by ruthless matriarch Smurf (Ellen Barkin), and comprised of her grandson and four sons. With a specialty in robberies, the Codys were infamous in Oceanside, California, and attracted the attention of law enforcement. To keep the family out of prison, Smurf encouraged the boys to put family above all else. However, her strict code ensured that anyone who threatens them must be dealt with by whatever means necessary.

The Codys' unconventional lifestyle wasn't short on drama and violence. Unfortunately, many of the people who crossed their paths got sucked into that drama, and had to pay a price, one way or another. Following Animal Kingdom's conclusion in August 2022, here are seven characters who met tragic fates because of the Codys.

Updated on March 5, 2024 by Alan A. Mehanna: The Codys never made life easy for the people around them. Whether it be loved ones or their enemies, the Codys found a way to destroy those who stood in their path. This list has been updated to adhere to CBR's most recent standards for formatting.

1 Catherine Blackwell

Animal Kingdom's first season shocked fans by killing off Catherine (Daniella Alonso), the wife of Smurf's adopted son, Baz (Scott Speedman). Catherine and Smurf had a long history of butting heads, and with a young daughter to care for, Catherine decided enough was enough. After stealing money from Smurf's washing-machine stash, Catherine planned to run away with Lena (Aamya Deva Keroles), leaving Baz and his family behind. However, Smurf caught on to Catherine's plan, and believed she was talking to police.

I should have hit her with the car!

— Catherine Blackwell, Animal Kingdom, Season 1

As such, Smurf ordered her son, Pope (Shawn Hatosy), to kill Catherine. In a gut-wrenching scene, Pope smothered Catherine with a pillow, and then buried her in the desert. The worst part was, Catherine hadn't planned to talk to the police -- Smurf jumped the gun.

2 Baz

Baz remains one of the more questionable names on this list, primarily because he functioned as Season 2's villain -- at least according to Smurf. Betraying his adoptive mother, Baz stole from Smurf's storage unit. Although he claimed to divide the spoils evenly among his brothers, and his suspected son J (Finn Cole), Baz's greed ultimately got the better of him. In an act of revenge, Smurf ordered a hit on Baz, who succumed to his gunshot wounds in the Season 3 premiere.

If you're going to cross the line, you make sure it's a line worth crossing.

— Baz, Animal Kingdom, Season 1

Despite Baz's villainy, he remained a fan favorite, and his death certainly altered Animal Kingdom's family dynamic. At the end of the day, Baz was essentially another one of Smurf's victims. So, whether audiences are pro-Baz or not, his death remains tragic for that very reason. However, Baz was avenged when Smurf was killed, even if it was a big mistake for the series.

3 Lena

While Baz is a divisive character, one of the saddest aspects of his death is that his daughter, Lena, was left an orphan after being treated pretty poorly by her father. Despite Pope's attempts to care for his niece, she fell into the foster-care system. Smurf didn't think twice about leaving her granddaughter behind, although -- to be fair -- that was partly because of Pope's decision to let her go.

Nothing happens to Amy or Lena. Do I make myself clear?

— Pope, Animal Kindom, Season 6

As a silver lining, afterwards a caring family adopted Lena on Animal Kingdom. And although Pope struggled to say goodbye, he knew she was better off away from the Codys' criminal operation.

4 Mrs. Fullerton

J and Deran (Jake Weary) abandoning poor Mrs. Fullerton at the bus stop in Season 3 remains one of Animal Kingdom's saddest moments. With Smurf in prison, J was tasked with managing her properties. As part of her money-laundering scheme, she required some of her tenants to lie about what they paid in rent. Unfortunately, Mrs. Fullerton developed dementia, and struggled to lie. Taking matters into their own hands, J and Deran took Mrs. Fullerton's driver's license and other identification, then left the old lady and her beloved cat at a bus station in the middle of nowhere.

We never set out to hurt anyone. That's not the way we work. We don't take stupid risks. We're not greedy. But we're human.

— Janine "Smurf" Cody, Animal Kingdom, Season 1

Although they don't hurt or kill her, leaving Mrs. Fullerton alone, scared and confused is shockingly cold. As with most anti-hero shows, Animal Kingdom fans love the Codys. However, they're essentially the bad guys, and Mrs. Fullerton's abandonment serves to remind audiences of that.

5 Adrian

Like Baz, Adrian (Spencer Treat Clark) played a role in his own undoing. After attempting to smuggle cocaine overseas in a scheme separate from the Codys, Adrian was apprehended by the DEA. He then struck a deal to avoid prison by leading agents to his supplier. However, that agreement soon involved turning on the Codys once the DEA realized his romantic connection to youngest son Deran.

The happiest I ever saw you was when you and Adrian moved in together. You should find him.

— Craig, Animal Kingdom, Season 6

Knowing Smurf would kill Adrian to protect her family, Deran made the heartbreaking decision to send Adrian to Southeast Asia. Although it's true Adrian's bad judgment led to his downfall, it was ultimately his involvement with the Codys that ruined his life. If he hadn't been Deran's boyfriend, Adrian likely would have walked away and continued his promising surfing career. Instead, he was forced to leave his lover and family to go into hiding.

6 Morgan

In one of Season 3's more shocking moments, J killed Smurf's lawyer, Morgan (Laura San Giacomo). With Smurf in jail, J took the opportunity to steal three of her properties with his newfound power of attorney. Although J cleverly tried to pin the blame on Morgan, he knew it wouldn't be long before his grandmother put two and two together. So, in a desperate attempt to cover up his betrayal, he abducted Morgan and drove her out into the middle of the ocean.

May we all get what we want and never what we deserve.

— Janine "Smurf" Cody, Animal Kingdom, Season 2

He then sliced her up before dumping her into the water to drown. After Smurf's arrest, Morgan became a recurring character. Although she wasn't overly adored by fans, she certainly didn't deserve to go out the way she did. As such, her death confirmed how ruthless and sociopathic J could be. However, the worst part was, Smurf found out about J's betrayal anyway.

7 Nicky & Her Family

Animal Kingdom's Nicky Belmont (Molly Gordon) played a significant role on the series until her departure in Season 3. She first appeared as J's high school girlfriend, who he desperately tried to protect from his family. However, the Codys robbed the Belmont's house, and roped Nicky's father, Paul, into one of their heists. Paul was ultimately forced to pack up his family, minus Nicky, and move to Guam. Nicky joined him later in Season 3, after overdosing on heroin.

We're not friends. We've never been friends. It's like talking to a steak.

— Nicky, Animal Kingdom, Season 2

While Nicky had a penchant for trouble, most her teenage rebellion was fueled by immaturity. She needed a guiding light, and instead found the Codys. After her initial break-up with J, Smurf and Craig only made matters worse. Mia (Sohvi Rodriguez) was right when she said Nicky didn't belong in J's world. Eventually, the lifestyle took its toll, and Nicky turned to heroin. Saddest of all, J abandoned her at the hospital during her overdose. Fans often ask what happened to Nicky on Animal Kingdom, but no worries -- she lived, despite her departure.

Animal Kingdom is available to stream on Prime Video.