‘Animal Kingdom’: Shawn Hatosy Admits He ‘Didn’t Love the Way It Ended’
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Animal Kingdom is getting a new wave of fans, thanks to the drama now streaming on Netflix. The series originally aired for six seasons on TNT (from 2016 to 2022), and while it was popular at the time, things are very different now.
“It’s blowing up,” Shawn Hatosy (who played Pope) agrees while talking to TV Insider about his current role on The Pitt (for which he’s been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama). “It’s been nice that it’s finding a new audience because it’s a show I’m very proud of. And I thought the work was great. I thought the writing was fantastic and electric. So it’s cool that people are finding it. A tight cast. Still friends with all those guys. I remember driving into work every day, passing the Warner Bros water tower, thinking, ‘This is the greatest job ever. I get to wear a t-shirt and jeans and ride a skateboard. This is weird. I’m getting paid for this. This is unfair. What a cool job.'”
While he’s quick to say the entire series is great, if he has to point to a moment when he knew it would be a hit, he calls the pilot “exceptional” and the first season “really well done.” With that, “there was a feeling amongst us that it was going to probably find a bigger audience,” he shares before noting that people didn’t find shows like they do now, with streaming (such as the way people have recently discovered the show on Netflix).
“It was on TNT, and I mean, TNT gave it everything, but it didn’t quite break out — not to say that it wasn’t good and it didn’t have its core audience, but right now on Netflix, it’s just such a wide net and it’s catching so many different types of viewers and they’re passionate about it,” he explains.
Looking specifically at his character, he knows that it may have taken some a while to warm up to him. “I think Pope was such a multidimensional character who at first you really didn’t like, who just seemed disturbed. And through the course of 75 episodes, you understand so much about why he was disturbed and how he became that way. And it’s not his fault. So they end up hating him at first, but he becomes the favorite by the end,” according to Hatosy.
He also admits that he “didn’t love the way it ended because I care so much about him,” he says. “It becomes a part of you. So watching him be betrayed like that and not surviving — maybe we don’t know. We didn’t see, did we? We didn’t call time of death, so who knows.”
Have you discovered (or re-discovered) Animal Kingdom on Netflix? What stands out to you about it? Let us know in the comments section below.
Animal Kingdom, Streaming Now, Netflix
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I absolutely loved the show didn’t like Baz at all but pope was my favorite almost from the beginning cause he was different made him stand out to me. Broke my heart it ended. But pope was not shown that he died so maybe it could come back
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I think they could bring back the show centered around Darren hunting J fown like a dog
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What a really great series all the characters have a great following and of course Pope is my favorite. Ellen Barkin did an incredible job and quite scary at times.
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I watched it on TNT. Absolutely loved the show. Until now, no one had a clue what I was talking about when I would bring it up in conversation. Glad others are finally getting to see how great it is.
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That's how great YOU are!
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C
I watched it on TNT when it first started, but I would miss so many episodes due to my military duties. I recently binged watched the show over the summer and I didn't like Baz I was rooting for Jay but he became a character I didn't like at the end.
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Same summation for me
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Binged watched the whole show twice in the past year. And still think about it. Love every character. Baz n Craig. but by all time fav is Pope and Smurf! Please give us more!!
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Loved Animal Kingdom and Shawn….watched it 3 times and will probably watch it a fourth time now that it is on Netflix…Plz bring it back ….Loved all the characters…Ellen Barken was great!
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Spectacular, drawn into the character's ...Excellent acting from all character's. My favorite was Pope... One of the best shows I've seen in awhile..
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I found it on Netflix & fell in love! So awesome-loved every second until the end-MEHHHH
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I loved Jake Weary in Waterfront so I was looking for other shows he was in and found Animal Kingdom. My FAVORITE binge of this summer. I got my whole family watching it now. Really cool to get to know Shawn more as an actor as well. Big fan of The Pitt and Chicago PD. He's now a household favorite as well.
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Bring it back. You can also revive Craig. Even tho he was shot maybe play it off as an overdose mixed with a gun shot. You know tv can revive people. They do it all the time. Pope isn’t dead either.
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LONG LIVE POPE!!!!
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Speaking for A LOT of people.... we would looooooove for the shower to come back ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
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I even had a dream about them all that I was part of it
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Fantastic. Loved it. Want more. The ending with Craig and Pope dead did
Not thrilled with that because I wanted more. I’ve watched
It 8 or 9 times already. All six seasons. Gotta love the Cody boys even though they were a bunch of criminals you find yourself rooting for them.
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I loved pope his craziness, but yet his tenderness towards so many different issues, I made him my favorite! He must be brought back, please.! Every one of the characters was spectacular. I enjoyed it so much. I was disappointed at the ending.
I i i have already watched it for the second time and we'll probably even watch it again when I watched it. The second time I surely saw things I didn't see the first time. It did leave it open for a spin-off. At the end, because Pope could have been found by Darren or by the fire department. Or by EMS, and they got him to the hospital on time to save his life.. Craig asked Darren to take care of his family. So how was he supposed to watch Over his family? If there is not a spin-off so that left that part of the show open, also, there's a lot of characters that could be brought back and I thought of something I really like Smurf, too, and I would like to see her. Brought back and I thought of a way of that happening. What about her having a twin sister? That was given away at birth. That's more devious and evil than Smurf. Was I think it would be an interesting character? Just a thought. There's so much that can be done. Who is this?
I hope there is a spin-off. That would be awesome.
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I discovered it probably late July early August and it was a complete accident because I'd just finished the newest season of a show I follow and I was busy with laundry and dogs and didn't realize but at some point it suddenly started playing the pilot...and it caught me enough in the first 15 that I let it keep going. I thought it was a movie and looked it up while I was watching and there is a movie but I was like yeah I'm pretty sure this isn't the same thing exactly. The movie takes place in Australia and I new we weren't in Australia lol. So I kept watching til the end and let episode 2 start so then I Googled Animal Kingdom the TV series and found the info and that it had done a decent amount of seasons so I was like ok I'm here for it! I finished all the seasons about a week ago and the ending had me crying so bad. It broke my heart that Pope seems to have died. It broke my heart that Craig died after proposing to Renn who was waitingfor him across the globe with their son. The deaths of Katherine and worse Baz broke my heart early on. Deran and Adrian continously made my heart ache and Deran being loyal to family that were hurting him and choosing them repeatedly touched a nerve. But I also thought they'd find their way back together. When i realized Deran once again would sacrifice his own ❤️ it just completelydevastaled me. But i really thought miss them in my life lol. And I have so many questions.
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I binged-streamed the entire series on Netflix this summer watching 3-4 episodes a night. Went from not liking Pope to him becoming my favorite character. Ellen Barking as Smurf was incredible. Denis Leary was great as a guest star. Disappointed with the direction after key character's death as stories became a bit unrealistic but did enjoy the flashback stories. Thought J deserved a better arc but maybe it was actually more realistic and fitting.
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I loved pope i hope more comes back would like to know how Darren doing an j an the little girl we need at least 4 more seasons 😉 😀
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The first couple episodes I thought what the heck, this is stupid. Then it hit me didn’t for some reason. I began to love it. Everyone on that show did amazing. I hated to see it end and hope they come up with new seasons. The only thing disturbing to me was the normalizing of very powerful drugs and they gay scenes that were in your face. But, I will watch more episodes.
GREAT WORK TEAM!!!!
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I found this on Netflix and loved it all the way through. The last episode was heart breaking but incredibly exciting the whole time. Seeing Craig's eyes staying open, expressionless, after dying in Deran's arms, haunts me. Losing Pope after he successfully escaped prison was disappointing and sad. Fun stories, great acting, interesting and powerful characters. I would love more.
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I caught it on Amazon and binged it in about 2 months 👊
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the ending was absolute trash
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I binged the whole series this Summer and it was spectacular. Pope did end up becoming a favorite and I too disliked the ending (except for the fact they left a glimmer of hope for a reboot)
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Ditto this!
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We all want the series to come back!!! And especially with Pop. This series is absolutely great, just awesome!
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Intense from the beginning! I just finished the show and I miss it already. One of the best shows ever made. Only complaint was the ending. Favorite character... Pope of course! All the actors did an amazing job at drawing you into the story. Definitely would love to see a spinoff with Pope!
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Just watching it now on Netflix, we LOVE it! At first, my hubby said, what a freakin' crazy show! I'm on S5E8, so I'm not finished yet. We were shocked when Smurf went off the way she did, whoa, that was a show! Def Pope is a fav, as well as J.
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Bring it back!!! I’m on the last season and I don’t want it to end.
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Love this show and I want to know more - how will the family make a come back?✌🏼
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Loved Loved! Jay was a hottie for sure. Feel so bad that he got rid of the parallel gal Penny. I understand but he could have tried harder to convince her. Loved them all.. Craig, Dean, Pope, Baz. Gotta feel for Julia 😪
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I was so riveted by my first viewing of Animak Kingdom on Netflix I immediately watched it a second time. By far one of the best series ever! I want to watch a third time! Every actor is outstanding 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
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We love Animal Kingdom, wish I hadn't read this article. We haven't finished the series! Dang it, Pope maybe and Craig dies!!!!!
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I watched it on TNT absolutely loved the show and I've watched it a few times on Netflix...pope is my favorite.. would love to see a season 7 ...so sad the show ended...you guys did such an awesome job...
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I absolutely LOVED Animal Kingdom. I binged watched it every day till I was done. Pope was my favorite. If looks could kill, everyone would be dead!! Yesss, it was the best show I’ve seen all year. 👍🏽👍🏽🩷
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I talked about this show for days after it ended....and I'm still pissed off that pope died....but it's true TOD wasn't called....who knows?!!! Nonetheless, I can't wait for the spinoff with Jay n Darren. I literally watched this entire show in 3 days, back to back to back episodes ..it was that good. Damn it Smurf!
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Really loved the show on Netflix!
Would love a movie to truly end the story with my preference. Don't want to "spoil" the way it ended for those that haven't finished watching yet, but I'll just say I would love one character to get final take down of another character.
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I rewatched this series this summer. The first time I was more involved in the story, but this summer I was more interested in the complexities of the characters. I really came to admire Darin this time around. Always loved Pope.
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My husband & I found this show on Netflix a couple of months ago and instantly began binge watching it almost every day to the point that it was making me forget my chores and causing us to lose complete track of time, then sending us to bed late, lol. Honestly, it's hard for me to find a show that I really like, especially one that both my husband & I really like to the point that we would get mad at each other if one watched it without the other and got ahead a couple episodes. The last time I remember being obsessed with a show the way I was obsessed with Animal Kingdom was probably way back almost ten years ago when we started watching Vikings. There's only just a few shows I've been madly obsessed with throughout my life and this show is one of them and to me, is comparable to Breaking Bad. If Animal Kingdom was actually real life, I think it would've had a better ending and outcome had there been better communication between the whole family on the show, given they all, especially Jay, seemed to hide their feelings. There were so many times on the show where I wanted Jay to either call them all out, especially Smurf, or straight up ask them, or just flat out tell them how he felt and why his mother Julia was treated so badly and then just forgotten and ignored as if she wasn't part of the family, when she should've been the most sacred person given she was the only female sibling and Smurf's only daughter. Especially given how important family was to them all.
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C
I watched the series on TNT. And again on prime. Now on Netflix. Luv it. Great writing, excellent characters, Ellen Barkin,s best work. Craig and deran are like dumb and dumber at times. Pope is a very diverse character. J went off the deep end. Greatest show on tv in many years. Bring it back. Bring waterfront back.
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I'm obsessed with this show! I love it! We definitely need a season 7 🙏💖
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I am a huge fan of Animal Kingdom. It’s on PRIME right & I’m enjoying it again.
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I watch this show for the 2nd time. I love this show and I agree I didn't like how it ended. I was mad when Pope died, Smurf and Craig... I wish they kept her on more before ending her character. But, I was hoping that J who screwed them over was to go he was getting on my nerves!!!! But, I wish they ended the show differently. Plus, Pope didn't play no game and I like how he was up on everything. I was getting mad at alot of things.
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Great series!!! I was hooked from the beginning. I didn’t love the ending and would've definitely continued to watch more seasons. Loved Pope!!!!!!
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M
I started watching this on Kemo then finished watching it on Netflix. Loved watching it, binged it in a few weeks. The acting and story lines were great. The ending was heartbreaking, as I grew to like the characters and their back stories.
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I watched it on Netflix. Just finished it and hate that it's over. Would love a spin off because you're not real sure Pope is dead. He was my favorite character. Great writers. Great show and awesome actors. Let's see a spin off.
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I watch it all the time I start it over and over and I have such mixed emotions I want J to get revenge but I also see why they were the way they were I love it when Smurf was still in the picture. Even though she was evil
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I LOVED Pope! He was my favorite and I was so upset that he died in the end! I cried when Craig and Pope died! I wish it was still continuing to see where Deran ended up! And J, F that dude!
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B
Terrific series, watched it on Netflix!
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I tinkle a little bit whenever Pope is in a scene.
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I want more! I loved this series❤️
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Great show binnged on Netflix,worth the Time
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I am obsessed with this show. The fact that it's filmed in my hometown of Oceanside doesn't hurt. I have watched the entire series through twice. While the ending left me gutted, I understand that it was a likely conclusion given the story's hardcore narrative. Man, Ellen Barkin should win awards for her performance. I give credit to the actors, writers and stunt men/folks. Seriously, Animal Kingdom is riveting! Yep, Pope was my favorite.
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Just binged on Netflix. Hated the ending. I’m beyond mad who survived. Not that I wanted pope to survive although did end up liking his character. Craig… that one ticked me off totally. Grrrrr.
I hated Ellen Barkins acting honestly. Wayyyyyy preferred young Smurf. Either version the “baby” was just ridiculous and needed to be used about a 50th of the time it was. Just dumb writing. also felt someone should’ve told both young and adult pope to dial it back a bit. All the jaw locked frozen face expressions… too much.. like smurfs “baby”. I wanted to throw something at the television by season 2.
My absolute fave… Craig. No contest.
Least favorite… J. You don’t buy his motivation. You don’t buy he’s a tough/bad guy. Just not good. And the last season maybe mustache was just embarrassing and made him look ridiculous
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Binged the whole series in a week. Couldn’t stop watching it. Best series yet I have seen a lot.
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I’m so mad that with all the things Pope had gone thru in his life he got the short end of the stick in the end still. A narcissist mother and the hand he was dealt was heartbreaking. I hope the spinoff wakes him up and someone saves him. Craig. Was my boy too.
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I watched it on TNT and back in the day and rewatched it on Netflix. I told all my friends and family and they loved it.
We need more shows like that.
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It was a GREAT series!
HATED the ending!
Pope was my favorite in the end!
So disappointing after all that time invested to see these guys not get the life they DESERVED!
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