Shocking Casualties: Unveiling the Tragic Fates of Animal Kingdom Season 6 Characters

Animal Kingdom season 6 came to a gripping conclusion in 2022, leaving viewers stunned by the deaths of some beloved central characters. The show, which is based on the 2010 Australian film of the same name, delves into the lives of the criminal Cody family, who operate in Oceanside, California. Throughout its six seasons, Animal Kingdom has featured a dangerous cast of characters and a focus on criminal activities, resulting in the demise of multiple characters. In season 4, we witnessed the manipulative matriarch, Smurf (portrayed by Ellen Barkin), meet her end at the hands of J Cody (played by Finn Cole), a murder committed as retribution for Smurf's involvement in the death of Baz Blackwell (portrayed by Scott Speedman), who is likely J's father.

The majority of Animal Kingdom season 6 revolves around the investigation into the death of Baz's girlfriend, Catherine Belen (played by Daniella Alonso), which occurred in season 1. This reference to one of the earliest major character deaths sets the tone for a season that delves into the characters grappling with their past actions and the vicious cycle of violence that their choices perpetuate. This theme is further explored through a subplot featuring flashbacks, which shed light on Julia Cody's (portrayed by Jasper Polish) expulsion from the Cody family many years ago. This expulsion fuels her son, J, to seek revenge on the Cody family, ultimately culminating in the series finale.

1 Pope

In the final episode of Animal Kingdom's sixth season, the series says goodbye to main character Andrew "Pope" Cody in a truly impactful manner. After a failed attempt by the Cody brothers to rescue him from prison, Pope meets his demise. Unfortunately, it becomes evident too late that their nephew, J, has betrayed them and informed the police of their whereabouts. Despite the dire circumstances, Pope selflessly buys his brothers enough time to escape, but he receives a fatal gunshot wound during the process. In his last moments, Pope chooses to spare J's life and torches the Cody estate, signifying the end of the family's reign.

This tragic death serves as a fitting conclusion to Pope's storyline, particularly in the sixth season where he struggles with the weight of his past actions. On the day of his passing, every decision Pope makes is a result of his desire to atone for his sins. He ultimately sacrifices himself to protect his brothers, highlighting the only valuable lesson he learned from his troubled mother, Smurf: family. By opting not to kill J, Pope acknowledges the young man's right to seek revenge and acknowledges that perpetuating the cycle of violence would only lead to more destruction. As he sets fire to the house, Pope consciously chooses to put an end to the Cody dynasty and bring an end to the violent saga.

2 Craig

In the Animal Kingdom series 6 finale, another significant character, Craig Cody (portrayed by Ben Robson), meets his demise. Throughout the season, Craig had been at odds with his brother, Deran (played by Jake Weary), and their attempt to escape the consequences of a failed heist leads to a fatal outcome. In a moment of sacrifice, Craig takes a bullet meant for Deran during a convenience store robbery, where the unexpected shooter turns out to be the store clerk's son, defending his father. Once again, the theme of family emerges as Craig's death reflects the lengths people will go to protect their loved ones.

Season 6 delves further into Craig's storyline, shedding light on the harsh reality of the Cody family and their hometown, Oceanside. Both environments prove to be toxic, with little hope for those caught within. Craig's descent back into addiction throughout the season and his refusal to leave Oceanside suggest that his fate was sealed from the start; he was destined to die there. However, with Deran agreeing to take care of Craig's son and partner, Renn (played by Christina Ochoa), far away from Oceanside and the negative influence of the Cody family, baby Nick has a chance to grow up without experiencing the same trauma and heartbreak that plagued his father's life.

3 Penny

In the Season 6 finale of Animal Kingdom, one of the most chilling deaths occurs as new main character Penny Dean (portrayed by Stevie Lynn Jones), a married paralegal engaged in an affair with J, meets her tragic demise at the hands of her lover. Manipulating Penny into signing away the entire Cody family's assets, J attempts to convince her to elope with him. However, when Penny refuses to abandon her husband and her sister, who struggles with drug addiction, J becomes fearful that she may expose him to the police or to the Codys. To tie up any loose ends, J poisons her by secretly injecting a deadly cocktail of drugs into her drink.

While J has consistently displayed terrifying qualities throughout Animal Kingdom, this final act proves to be especially unforgivable. Not only does it highlight J's complete lack of understanding for the importance of family in the show, but it also shows him betraying the Codys without comprehending Penny's unwavering loyalty to her own family. Penny's tragic demise serves as a reminder that, even though J may survive, his actions have sealed his fate of a solitary life full of loneliness and isolation. This is further emphasized through the final shot of J in Animal Kingdom, where despite his luxurious surroundings, he exudes an aura of sadness and solitude.

4 Every Other Character Who Dies In Animal Kingdom Season 6

Episode 7 of the final season of Animal Kingdom marks the demise of Cole Lidden, a neo-nazi drug dealer played by Edward Gelhaus. The episode unfolds with Renn, Craig's partner, getting caught up in a cocaine deal gone wrong, leading to her and baby Nick being kidnapped by Lidden. To rescue them, Craig and Deran are forced to take action. In a brave move, Deran confronts Lidden and withstands several shots to his bulletproof vest, providing Craig with the opportunity to save Nick and kill Lidden. This act of sacrifice by Deran contrasts with the looming finale, where Craig takes a bullet for Deran, tragically losing his life and fulfilling his debt.

The death of Julia Cody, J's mother, is introduced in the premiere of Animal Kingdom. However, season 6 delves into a significant flashback subplot that provides crucial context about the events leading to her family abandoning her and, ultimately, her demise. This installment explores how Smurf, the matriarch of the Cody family, manipulates her children, using the threat of exclusion from the family as a means to dissuade them from aiding Julia. Consequently, Julia's death in the pilot episode is a direct consequence of the Codys' callousness and refusal to assist her, driving J to seek vengeance on his own family.