Animal Kingdom cast: Ellen Barkin and Finn Cole star

I’ve been totally hooked on Animal Kingdom since it landed on Netflix UK! It’s been climbing the charts like crazy, and honestly, everyone seems to be getting really into the Cody family’s story – it’s a wild ride!

The show, which aired from 2016 to 2022, is adapted from the 2010 Australian movie with the same title. That movie was based on the true story of the Pettingill family, a real-life criminal group.

Ellen Barkin stars as the family’s matriarch, known as Smurf, and she’s joined by familiar faces like Scott Speedman and Finn Cole from Peaky Blinders. Let’s take a look at the rest of the cast and their characters.

Read on for everything you need to know about the cast of Animal Kingdom.

Animal Kingdom cast: Who stars in the crime drama?

Let’s take a look at the stars of Animal Kingdom and the characters they play. Below, you’ll find more information about the cast, including where you might recognize them from.

Ellen Barkin as Janine ‘Smurf’ Cody
Scott Speedman as Barry ‘Baz’ Blackwell
Shawn Hatosy as Andrew ‘Pope’ Cody
Ben Robson as Craig Cody
Jake Weary as Deran Cody
Finn Cole as Joshua ‘J’ Cody
Daniella Alonso as Catherine Belen
Molly Gordon as Nicky Belmont
Carolina Guerra as Lucy
Sohvi Rodriguez as Mia Benitez
Jon Beavers as Jake Dunmore
Rigo Sanchez as Manny
Leila George as Young Janine ‘Smurf’ Cody

Ellen Barkin plays Janine ‘Smurf’ Cody

Janine Cody, nicknamed ‘Smurf,’ is the head of the Cody crime family and mother to four sons. She maintains a low profile, appearing to others as a successful businesswoman.

You might recognize Ellen Barkin from movies like Wild Bill, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Mercy, Ocean’s Thirteen, The Cobbler, and The Out-Laws. She’s also appeared in TV shows including The New Normal, Happyish, and Poker Face.

Scott Speedman plays Barry ‘Baz’ Blackwell

Barry Blackwell, also called Baz, is Smurf’s adopted son and frequently acts as a leader.

You might recognize Scott Speedman from shows like Nancy Drew, Felicity, Last Resort, You, Teacup, and Grey’s Anatomy. He’s also been in movies like Underworld, The Strangers, The Vow, and Cellar Door.

Shawn Hatosy plays Andrew ‘Pope’ Cody

Who is Andrew ‘Pope’ Cody? Andrew, known as Pope, is the eldest and most volatile of the Cody boys.

You might recognize Shawn Hatosy from shows like Numb3rs, Dexter, Southland, Fear the Walking Dead, and Chicago PD, or from movies like The Postman and Unstoppable. He’s also been in Reckless, Flaked, The Pitt, and Public Enemies.

Ben Robson plays Craig Cody

Craig Cody is Smurf’s second son. He’s an impulsive risk-taker who occasionally uses drugs, though his mother often thinks he’s the most manageable of her sons.

You might recognize Ben Robson from his appearances in the TV shows Vikings and The Continental, and the movies The Boy and Emperor.

Jake Weary plays Deran Cody

Deran Cody is Smurf’s youngest son. He frequently tries to live a life separate from his family, but circumstances always seem to pull him back into their world.

You might recognize Jake Weary from shows like As the World Turns, Fred: The Show, Chicago Fire, Pretty Little Liars, and The Walking Dead: Dead City, or from movies like Zombeavers, It Follows, It: Chapter Two, and Trigger Warning.

Finn Cole plays Joshua ‘J’ Cody

Joshua Cody, often called J, is Smurf’s teenage grandson. His mother, Smurf’s daughter and Pope’s twin sister, sadly passed away due to a heroin overdose.

You probably recognize Finn Cole from his role as Michael Gray in Peaky Blinders. He’s also been in movies like Slaughterhouse Rulez, F9, Locked In, and Last Breath.

Daniella Alonso plays Catherine Belen

Who is Catherine Belen? Catherine is Baz’s girlfriend and the mother of their daughter, Lena.

You might recognize Daniella Alonso from her appearances in several popular TV shows like One Tree Hill, Friday Night Lights, Revolution, and Dynasty. She’s also been in shows such as The Night Shift, Being Mary Jane, Criminal Minds, The Resident, and The Fix, plus films like The Hills Have Eyes II and Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2.

Molly Gordon plays Nicky Belmont

Who is Nicky Belmont? Nicky is J’s girlfriend.

Okay, so you’re wondering where you recognize Molly Gordon from? Honestly, she’s been popping up everywhere lately! I’ve definitely seen her in shows like Ramy, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, and The Bear. On the movie side, she was fantastic in Booksmart and Good Boys, and more recently, I really enjoyed her in Theater Camp. You might also recognize her from You People, The Broken Hearts Gallery, or even Oh, Hi! – she’s quickly becoming a familiar face, and for good reason!

Carolina Guerra plays Lucy

Who is Lucy? Lucy is Baz’s mistress the head of a Mexican gang.

You might recognize Carolina Guerra from her appearances in shows like Mariana & Scarlett, Da Vinci’s Demons, and Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue, and the film Rubirosa.

Sohvi Rodriguez plays Mia Benitez

Who is Mia Benitez? Mia is a young woman raised in a gang, who forms an alliance with J.

I recognize Sohvi Rodriguez from a couple of projects! I think I first saw her in the series Crazy Bs, and she was also in the film Last Night on Earth.

Jon Beavers plays Jake Dunmore

Who is Jake Dunmore? Jake was a member of Smurf’s crew in the 1970s and 80s.

You might recognize Jon Beavers from shows like The Fresh Beat Band, Gotham, Bel-Air, and Mayor of Kingstown, or from movies like Licorice Pizza. He’s also appeared in The Long Road Home, Sugar, Paradise, Watson, Horizon: An American Saga, and One Battle After Another.

Rigo Sanchez plays Manny

Who is Manny? Manny was the leader of Smurf’s crew in the 1970s and 80s.

You might recognize Rigo Sanchez from his appearances in popular TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Weeds, The Rolling Soldier, Goliath, The Last Ship, Briarpatch, Station 19, Outer Banks, and The Rookie.

Leila George plays Young Janine ‘Smurf’ Cody

Janine ‘Smurf Cody’ is the younger version of Ellen Barkin’s character, portrayed by Leila George in flashback scenes.

You might recognize Leila George from her roles in the movie Mortal Engines, as well as the series Disclaimer and The Beast in Me.

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Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs writes about TV dramas for TopMob, covering shows on streaming services and traditional channels. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-to-business agency and then at Fremantle, an international television production company. He holds a BA degree in English and Theatre Studies, as well as a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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2026-02-09 15:39