'Animal Kingdom' is a family crime-drama set in a gritty surf community. The series centers on 17-year-old Joshua "J" Cody (Finn Cole), 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 (Ellen Barkin) and her right-hand Baz (Scott Speedman), who runs the business and calls the shots, the clan also consists of Pope (Shawn Hatosy), the oldest and most dangerous of the Cody boys; Craig (Ben Robson), the tough and fearless middle son; and Deran (Jake Weary), the troubled, suspicious "baby" of the family. Also prominent are Nicky (Molly Gordon), J's steady girlfriend, and Catherine (Daniella Alonso), Baz's de facto wife and the mother of their 3-year-old daughter, Lena.
It isn't long before Josh is pulled into the family's life of indulgence and excess, but he soon discovers that it's all being funded by criminal activities. Joining the family comes with more danger and excitement than he might be ready to handle.
The Codys are back, and the ties that bind them are about to be stretched to the limit when TNT's hit Animal Kingdom returns for its second season. As the second season opens, the Cody clan is back to their old ways and in the midst of a fun, high-adrenaline heist. But when things don’t go as planned, the family dynamics become more fractured than ever as some members advocate for independence from Smurf. Adding fuel to the fire is an external threat from Smurf's past that has come back to haunt her.