TNT has renewed summer drama Animal Kingdom for season 3, set to air in 2018. Based on the 2010 Australian film of the same name written and directed by David Michôd, Animal Kingdom debuted its 10-episode first season on TNT last summer, earning largely positive reviews from critics and casual viewers alike. Developed for TV by Jonathan Lisco (Southland, Halt and Catch Fire), the show follows the Codys - a family of boisterous criminals reigned in by their matriarch - as they plan jobs and try to keep their various lifestyles going while avoiding the police.

Ellen Barkin headlines the series as Janine "Smurf" Cody, the family's leader, while her sons are Andrew "Pope" Cody (Shawn Hatosy), Barry "Baz" Blackwell (Scott Speedman), Craig Cody (Ben Robson), and Deran Cody (Jake Weary). The first season sees Smurf's grandson, Joshua "J" Cody (Finn Cole), join the crew when the death of his mother, Smurf's daughter, leads him to reconnect with the family from which he and his mom were estranged. Animal Kingdom returned for an expanded season 2 - at 13 episodes - earlier this summer, and TNT has now announced the Codys will return yet again next year for the show's third outing.

TNT officially renewed Animal Kingdom for season 3 today, with the drama set wrap up its second season on August 29. The show has averaged 4.8 million viewers per episode in season 2, with both digital and DVR viewing growing since season 1. TNT's executive vice president of original programming, Sarah Aubrey, said of Animal Kingdom's renewal:

The Cody family's drama keeps bringing more and more viewers back for more. Animal Kingdom has earned its place among a very select group of cable dramas that continue to grow audiences thanks to superior writing and storytelling.

Animal Kingdom also stars Molly Gordon as J’s ex-girlfriend Nicky Belmont and Carolina Guerra as Baz’s girlfriend Lucy, while season 2 has seen the introductions of Javi (Alex Meraz), a man from Smurf’s past, and Amy (Jennifer Landon), a woman Pope dates. Season 2 has seen Baz and Pope distance themselves from Smurf, trying to lead jobs on their own, while Deran has bought a bar in his own attempts to escape his mother's reach. Meanwhile, J becomes more involved in all aspects of the family business as Smurf sees more potential in him than any of her sons.

Animal Kingdom may have flown somewhat under the radar in its first season, failing to garner a great deal of buzz in the current era of peak TV - at least, nothing akin to the likes of TNT rival AMC's programming - but the series likely gained fans in its offseason by being available on streaming platforms. Certainly, Animal Kingdom returned for a solid second season and the network is undoubtedly pleased with the show's viewership numbers. As such, fans of the Codys will get to enjoy the family's entertaining antics again next year when Animal Kingdom returns for season 3.

Next: Summer 2017 TV Premiere Dates

Animal Kingdom airs Tuesdays at 9pm on TNT.

Source: TNT