Debuting in 2016, TNT's Animal Kingdom followed 17-year-old J (Finn Cole) as he adjusts to his new home life with his estranged criminal family headed by his grandmother, Smurf (Ellen Barkin). However, the series killed off Smurf in Season 4's penultimate episode, after a cancer diagnosis ultimately led to J shooting her in the head. In seasons 5 and 6, Animal Kingdom's remaining players dealt with the huge hole Smurf left behind. While it was challenging for them, it was also difficult for fans who missed Ellen Barkin's cool, calculating matriarch. But the reasons why the beloved character was written off are complicated, with showrunners and Barkin citing different reasons.
An accomplished actor, Barkin boasts an impressive filmography that dates back to the late 1970s. Since her breakout role in 1982's Diner, she's been nominated for a Golden Globe, and taken home a Primetime Emmy and Tony Award. As such, she was an exciting addition to Animal Kingdom, and starred as the family's hardened matriarch for four seasons, until her surprising demise. In the source material, the acclaimed 2010 film of the same name, Smurf lives until the end. Therefore, even with the character's illness on the series, her death came as somewhat of a shock.
Why Did Ellen Barkin Leave Animal Kingdom?
Executive producer John Wells said Smurf's death was meant to "shake up the family," and keep Animal Kingdom viewers on their toes. What's more, Smurf never wanted to be perceived as weak, so learning she was dying sent her down an interesting path. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Wells said the producers primarily made the decision because they thought they were "repeating a little bit of Smurf stories." They also felt they'd fully explored Smurf in the present, and wanted to delve into her origin. That's why they introduced Leila George to play a young Smurf.
Ellen Barkin reportedly departed Animal Kingdom on amicable terms. Coming from a movie background, she was surprised, "but she understood and thought it was a really good story," according to Wells. However, Barkin herself gave a different account, citing possible ageism and sexism.
The day following Wells' EW interview, Barkin tweeted, "Next episode Smurf's will is opened. She left her boys a hit TV show. Carry on Codys... well, may not all Codys." She then liked multiple tweets by fans who speculated her departure was involuntary and age-related.
In September 2019, Barkin fired back at Animal Kingdom's official Twitter after it posted a picture of Smurf, claiming the account had "vanished" her for four years. Business Times also reported that Barkin responded to a fan who asked how her male co-stars felt about her leaving by saying, "Some held the door." In October 2019, Barkin took to Twitter again, writing, "Looks like TNT is purging themselves of lots of female leads."
Ellen Barkin's Animal Kingdom Exit Highlights a Bigger Issue
Even before Smurf's Season 4 death, Barkin spoke about ageism in regard to a Season 1 sex scene that was cut from Animal Kingdom cut; she used the hashtag, "NoSexForOlderWomen." By the time Season 4 came around, Barkin already seemed displeased by her reduced role on the show. In response to a fan question about her appearing in Season 4, Barkin said, "Smurf is definitely in Season 4 of Animal Kingdom... just don't blink." While Barkin praised Animal Kingdom for its abundant use of women in production, she maintained that doesn't "diminish the erasure of the onscreen 64 yr old female lead,"
Hollywood has a reputation for under representing older women in media. While Barkin's Smurf may have been a mother and grandmother, her character extended beyond that, delivering a well-developed (albeit nefarious) story. Therefore, it was a shame to see her go.