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 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
