Netflix UK has quietly added Animal Kingdom, an American crime drama inspired by a real-life Australian criminal family. The series follows the Cody family, who run a criminal empire in California under matriarch Janine ‘Smurf’ Cody. Fans are calling it “dark, twisted, and gripping,” with some claiming it even surpasses Peaky Blinders.
The show is based on the 2010 Australian film Animal Kingdom, which focused on the Pettingill family of Melbourne, notorious for drug trafficking, armed robberies, and the 1988 murder of two police officers. The film earned critical acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination for Jacki Weaver, and a 94% Rotten Tomatoes rating.
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The TV adaptation premiered in 2016, running six seasons and 75 episodes. It stars Finn Cole as Joshua ‘J’ Cody, a teenager navigating life with estranged relatives in a crime-filled family. Ellen Barkin plays the matriarch, overseeing the family’s illicit operations with cunning and ruthlessness.
Critics praised the show for its pacing, writing, and performances. Rotten Tomatoes called it “a darkly intriguing, twisted family drama,” while TV Line described it as “dark, funny, exciting, smartly written and beautifully acted.” Fans on Reddit have also raved, calling it “highly underrated” and “one of the best shows ever.”
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Many viewers note similarities with Peaky Blinders, particularly because Finn Cole starred in both series. Yet, Animal Kingdom is praised for its modern American setting and seedy California surf-town backdrop, giving it a unique, intense energy. The series continues to attract new fans discovering it on Netflix.