Fans of TNT's 'Animal Kingdom' were left stunned after Wednesday night's episode saw the death of Ellen Barkin's character, Janine 'Smurf' Cody. The matriarch of the Cody crime family met her end in the penultimate episode of season four, prompting an outpouring of reactions on social media.
Barkin responded to the backlash with a cheeky tweet: 'Next episode Smurf's will is opened. She left her boys a hit tv show. Carry on Codys…well, maybe not all Codys.' The official Animal Kingdom Twitter account also paid tribute, tweeting: 'Rest in Peace, our Queen. Tell us your favorite Smurf moments from #AnimalKingdom below.'
Executive producer John Wells told TVLine that the decision to write off Barkin was 'creatively motivated'. However, many fans expressed dissatisfaction, with some accusing Wells of dishonesty. One fan tweeted: 'John Wells is lying to the audience just tell us the truth why Ellen Barkin was let go. Barkin is an incredible actress and the star of the show.'
Despite the controversy, the series remains popular. Based on the 2010 Australian film by David Michôd, the TNT drama has seen its viewership grow to nearly 18 million for season four across all platforms. The broadcaster noted that the show is among the top ten cable dramas for adults aged 18-49 this year in L+7 data. 'Animal Kingdom' has already been renewed for a fifth season.
