TNT has renewed Animal Kingdom for season 6, which will also be the last for the show. Based on David Michôd's 2010 Australian film of the same name, the Ellen Barkin-led serial crime drama series has been bringing in stupendous summertime viewership ratings for its WarnerMedia-backed network since June 2016. The events of the series were first set into motion during season 1 when the 17-year-old J (Finn Cole) moved in with his estranged relatives, The Cody family - a criminal clan headed by Barkin's tough matriarch Smurf. And since then, the show has managed to keep viewers hooked with its crime-centric narrative, dramatic plotlines, and darkly intriguing twists. Animal Kingdom's fourth season concluded in August 2019, and its season 5 is due to premiere soon.

In season 4, Animal Kingdom's loyal fans were served with another shocking death when Smurf was killed by J. Smurf's death instantly created a void that her friends and enemies sought to exploit. And the Cody family, meanwhile, was left to figure out life without its domineering matriarch. Though Smurf had died, she reappeared in season 4 through continuing flashbacks to the 70s, giving fans a glimpse of what her life was like prior to becoming a crime boss. Season 4 ended with an explosive cliffhanger, as it was revealed that Smurf had cut out her family from her will, and instead bequeathed everything to a mysterious woman called Pamela Johnson. Now season 5 is expected to unravel the truth behind Smurf's decision while also laying the groundwork for the series' final iteration.

Related: Animal Kingdom's Shock Season 4 Death Explained

On Tuesday, Variety announced that TNT has renewed Animal Kingdom for a final season 6. The site also reported that the show's cast and crew were notified about the development last November. In fact, they are already planning to begin production on the final season in February. It is, however, not yet known when season 6 will premiere, and which actors have been retained for the series' final run. As for season 5, it will premiere in summer 2021.

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Before Animal Kingdom draws to a close with season 6, season 5 will tie up several loose ends from the show's earlier iterations. In the new show, Pope (Shawn Hatosy), Craig (Ben Robson), Deran (Jake Weary), and J will recuperate from the fallout that they suffered due to Smurf's death. And they will head out to maintain whatever fragile alliances are left. Additionally, there is going to be a power struggle within the Cody clan to see which member emerges as the kingdom's new leader. And Pamela Johnson will, too, come to the fore, as viewers learn more about her relationship with Smurf. Season 5 will also contain flashbacks to Smurf's early life. Although instead of the 70s, the show will now focus on the year 1984, when the unpredictable 29-year-old Smurf began forging her own path, raising Pope and Julia and commanding heists.

Given the synopsis of the upcoming season 5, it is easy to comprehend why Animal Kingdom is ending with season 6. The show had its climactic moment in season 4, which was Smurf's death. And now seasons 5 and 6 are bringing the different pieces, arcs, and relationships in the story together to give it a satisfactory ending. By the time Animal Kingdom bows out, viewers will have learned everything about Smurf's past, and thus, they will be able to make sense of her actions throughout the first four seasons. Logically some fans might find the news about Animal Kingdom's closure devastating. But it's better for the show to end having told a precise and interesting story, rather than dragging on for several years aimlessly. As of late, TNT is also shifting its programming focus to unscripted content. And since Animal Kingdom doesn't fit in with its new strategy, it is a rational move on the part of the network to cancel the long-running series.

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Source: Variety