Watch Manimal Kingdom

Manimal Kingdom is a gripping American crime drama television series that was created by Jonathan Lisco. The show is a family saga exploring the lives of a family of criminals involved in organized crime activities in Southern California. The show premiered on June 14, 2016, on the TNT network and has since been airing successfully for five seasons.

The show is centered around the Cody family, a notorious criminal family who live in the city of Oceanside, California. Smurf, the head of the Cody family, is a tough and manipulative matriarch who rules her family with an iron fist. Her sons, Pope, Craig, Deran, Baz, and her adopted grandson, Joshua, also known as "J", are all involved in the criminal activities of the family. Each of them has their unique way of contributing to the family business.

The show's main protagonist is Joshua, played by Finn Cole. After the death of his mother, Joshua is taken in by his grandmother, Smurf, and becomes deeply involved in the family's criminal activities. He is often portrayed as a reluctant participant, struggling to balance his loyalty to his family and his own morality.

As the show progresses, the Cody family's illegal activities become more dangerous and complex, leading to intense power struggles between family members and rival gangs. The show takes viewers on a wild ride filled with thrilling heists, murder, betrayal, and family drama. The family's criminal undertakings involve everything from bank robberies to drug running to murder-for-hire hits.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the show is that the family's illicit activities are often paired with moments of intense introspection about the nature of familial relationships, loyalty, and love. Through Joshua's character, many of these internal conflicts are brought to light and explored in-depth. The show's creators masterfully interweave these themes into the larger narrative of the show, which creates incredible depth and complexity throughout the show.

The cast of Manimal Kingdom is truly outstanding, with each member bringing their unique style and energy to the show. Veteran actress Ellen Barkin's performance as Smurf is especially noteworthy. She delivers a powerhouse performance as the cunning and manipulative family matriarch. The actors who portray Smurf's sons, including Shawn Hatosy, Ben Robson, and Jake Weary, are also excellent, each bringing their distinct characters to life.

The show is well-directed and features an excellent production team that captures the gritty and dangerous world of the Cody family. The show's cinematography and score also deserve a special mention, as they effectively create an atmospheric and suspenseful backdrop for the story. Moreover, the show's themes of family, loyalty, crime, and morality are highlighted perfectly through the cinematography and music.

In conclusion, Manimal Kingdom is a fantastic show that deserves much recognition for its gripping storyline, excellent production, and outstanding cast. It is a show that will keep you at the edge of your seat, and you won't be able to help but root for these morally ambiguous and complex characters. The show's exploration of family relationships, loyalty, and love is especially impactful, as it grounds the show's criminal undertakings in a deeper emotional context. For anyone who loves crime dramas and complex family sagas, Manimal Kingdom is a must-watch.

Manimal Kingdom is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (4 episodes). The series first aired on January 1, 2018.