Animal Kingdom: Season Three Starts With A Bang

TNT's breakout hit Animal Kingdom returns for its third season, opening with a shocking conclusion, the new preeminent crime family, The Cody's, are back and the ties that bind them are about to be stretched to the limit.

One of last summer's hottest dramas, Animal Kingdom stars Ellen Barkin,  as Janine "Smurf" Cody, the matriarch of this southern California smuggling crime empire, Scott Speedman as her second in command and Shawn Hatosy as her volatile, mentally unstable eldest son.

Also starring are Ben Robson, Jake Weary, Finn Cole, Molly Gordon and Carolina Guerra with guest appearances by Laura San Giacomo. Denis O'Leary is also on board joining the cast in a reoccurring role.


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Animal Kingdom, which is a spin-off of an Australian television show of the same name, centers on centers on 17-year-old Joshua "J" Cody, who moves in with his freewheeling relatives in their Southern California beach town after his mother dies of a heroin overdose.

Headed by boot-tough matriarch Janine "Smurf" Cody and her right-hand Baz, who runs the business and calls the shots, the clan also consists of Pope, the oldest and most dangerous of the Cody boys; Craig, the tough and fearless middle son; and Deran, the troubled, suspicious "baby" of the family.

O'Leary entrance is set to balance the exit by one of the shows main character's Scott Speedman, who plays Baz and was looking to exit the crime drama.

SPOILER ALERT

For fans of any crime drama, the number one rule is not to get to attached to characters for Animal House fans, think Walter White in San Diego, Season Three begins with shots fired in the night.

The next few minutes we follow the real time events as Baz, played by Scott Speedman, is targeted in a gangland style assassination attempt. The shocking series of events has even Animal Kingdom neophytes, held in rapt attention. Does he die?

With the news that someone is looking to territorial war with "Smurf" played by Ellen Barkin who is in jail being questioned as if she were a common criminal. Of course, to the public she is one savvy real estate broker to the SDPD she is a seasoned drug smuggler with a major operation. Barkin continues to evolve and with the chance to play a Drug Smuggling Cartel Matriarch she shows new depth.


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With the series being so close to the border, the tactics of Sinaloa's are migrating across the border and the clan now find themselves cash poor. The new season hold a few additional shocking storylines.

One note: Season Three Episode Two begins with a heist and it is right out of a Mission Impossible film, high tech, outrageous, wild, another opening with a solid hook that grabs the attention and like The Cody's just won't let go.

Animal Kingdom airs May 29, at 9:00PM on TNT. Check local listings.

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