I recall seeing billboards and promotion online for TNT’s Animal Kingdom back in the Spring of 2006, and the shirtless actors immediately caught my attention. I eventually watched the pilot episode on-demand, and it did not disappoint with eye-candy. From poolside parties, sex scenes and beach shots–there was chest and abs everywhere. I was pretty familiar with Ellen Barkin, who portrayed “Janine ‘Smurf’ Cody,” and Shawn Hatosy who played Pope, but for the most part, the actors were new to me.

Finn Cole‘s story as “Joshua “J” Cody,” immediately caught my attention, and I was drawn in. It took me a few episodes in to realize that Scott Speedman was “Michael Corvin” from the Underworld films. I was sold.

The series is based on the 2010 Austrian film with the same title; Animal Kingdom. The original producers–David Michôd and Liz Watts–came on board to make this happen, and they did not disappoint. The show debut on TNT on June 14, 2016, and was an immediate hit. The show pulled in 1.31 Million viewers in episode one, and continued to have viewership into the Millions at the end of Season 4. It is easy to see why viewers got so invested in this crime family. Every charter was complex, with all grey area subject matters. Why did we all get attached to, well… the Cody’s are not good people. Yet the writers were able to have the goodness in them show through the hard edges.

A lot of blame has been put on Ellen Barkin’s character Smurf, for the flaws in her sons’ personalities… rightfully so. In in season 4, it was great to see the backstory of this controlling matriarch. It may have helped soften Smurf up to some viewers.

So much has happened in four seasons, it would be too much to go over in one write-up. Who would have thought we would see Baz’s shocking death in the beginning for Season 3? Who would have thought we would be going into Season 5 without Smurf? There has been so many shocking moments and shocking deaths. Going into season 5, we’ve seen so much character development with Josh, Pope, Craig and Deran. I don’t doubt that they can carry the show, which has been announced to end with Season 6.

My favorite storyline over the years has been the romance between Deran and Adrian. Which has been one of the most compelling gay storylines on television in years. In fact, Deran is the one character that most people can route for on the show, along with his brother Craig. Hopefully his father Billy–played by Denis Leary–doesn’t completely ruin his life on the show. He already had to grow up with one batshit, controlling, selfish parent–Smurf.

Finn Cole’s Joshua “J” Cody was that enduring character; however, he has evolved into the most manipulating character on the show. Despite my love-hate relationship with Smurf over the years, I’m not sure if I can get behind Josh after he put a bullet in her head. She was dying anyway right?

Stay tuned, we will be covering Animal Kingdom.

The post The Hunks of TNT’s Animal Kingdom: The Cody’s… Pope, Baz, Deran, Craig and Joshua “J” Cody. appeared first on Shirtless Male Celebs.