The ‘addictive’ series that fans claim is ‘one of the best shows ever’ is now on the platform

Cast of Animal Kingdom
All seasons are now on Netflix (Image: TNT)

A ‘compulsive’ crime drama that numerous viewers declare is ‘amongst the finest programmes ever created’ has arrived on Netflix.
The series Animal Kingdom joined the platform’s vast catalogue today (February 3). All episodes across the programme’s six seasons are anticipated to be accessible from roughly 8am when the streaming service refreshes its content daily.

The synopsis reveals that following a heroin overdose that claims his mother’s life, Joshua ‘J’ Cody relocates to Southern California to reside with his unconventional family members.

The clan’s head is J’s alienated grandmother, Janine ‘Smurf’ Cody, from whom he has been kept away for years.

J quickly discovers the reasoning behind this separation. Smurf and ‘her boys’ earn their income through meticulously orchestrated armed heists and additional illegal enterprises.

Key culprits include Smurf’s three offspring: psychologically unstable former convict Pope, frenzied narcotics user Craig, and mistrustful Deran. To survive, J must demonstrate allegiance to his captivating grandmother, who governs with an almost incestuous affection, reports the Mirror.

The programme initially broadcast from 2016 until its concluding episode transmitted in 2022. It’s actually adapted from the Australian film bearing the identical title, penned and directed by David Michôd, who recently directed sports biographical film Christy featuring Sydney Sweeney.

Animal Kingdom the series holds an audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes of 88%. Numerous viewers who have completed the entire run maintain it ranks among the greatest ever produced within its category.

Some viewers even claim it surpasses certain high-profile dramas, with one person posting online: “One of the best shows I’ve ever seen. I loved Ozark, Breaking Bad, Better call Saul but Animal Kingdom is better. It’s phenomenal!”.

Shawn Hatosy and Finn Cole in Animal Kingdom

It is finally available on Netflix in the UK (Image: TNT)

“All seasons of the show gets better and better as the seasons go on and the cast is fantastic! I binge watched all six seasons and I am so sad that I can’t watch anymore! It was THAT good. I mean you have to watch the whole series to feel it. If you haven’t seen it- you don’t know what you’re missing. It is an absolute masterpiece. It keeps you wanting to watch more and more and keeps you on the edge of your seat.”

Another viewer confessed on Reddit: “Just finished Animal Kingdom. I can’t believe I slept on this masterpiece. I honestly can’t believe it took me this long to experience Animal Kingdom. Maybe the title threw me of. I always assumed it was some kind of nature documentary or something completely different. But wow… what a ride.”

Echoing these sentiments, a different user remarked: “I just finished binging the entire series on Netflix, and I’m genuinely having withdrawals. The storytelling, the intensity, the family dynamic, everything just pulls you in deeper and deeper. It was addictive from the first episode to the last.”One viewer celebrated that the programme finally received the recognition it merited when it was added to the US version of Netflix, and hopes it will achieve the same in the UK. They said: “Animal Kingdom is phenomenal. The story is gritty, intense, and deeply layered, with brilliant performances, especially from Ellen Barkin as the fierce and manipulative matriarch.”

They continued: “The family dynamics are raw and captivating, and the suspense never lets up. Every season builds smartly on the last, keeping you hooked with complex characters and unexpected twists. It’s one of the most underrated crime dramas out there.”

Animal Kingdom is streaming on Netflix.