Animal Kingdom star says he did not like the season 6 series finale, details explored

Animal Kingdom wrapped up on August 28, 2022, closing its run after six seasons on TNT. The story began with the 2010 Australian film by David Michôd, with the director stepping in as a producer for the series too. What first seemed like a small tale about one family caught up in crime eventually grew into seventy-five episodes, packed with betrayals, fragile bonds, and choices that always seemed to come back with heavy costs.

Years later the series found a new life. In June 2025, all seasons landed on Netflix and, almost immediately, it climbed into the platform’s Top 10. Industry trackers pointed out that the drama was among the most viewed titles of the month. That return to the spotlight changed the conversation around the Codys. Viewers who had missed the show before were discovering it for the first time, while others came back to rewatch. And in the middle of this renewed attention, Shawn Hatosy spoke up about the way his story ended.

Shawn Hatosy’s perspective

Hatosy spent six years playing Andrew Pope Cody. His presence defined much of Animal Kingdom, and the ending of his arc became one of the most debated points of the finale. When asked about it, the actor was honest: ‘I didn’t love the way it ended because I care so much about him. 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.

It was a short comment, but it carried weight. Not only did it show how much he valued the character, it also reminded audiences that the scene never gave an official confirmation of Pope’s death.

Pope’s journey in Animal Kingdom

At the beginning, Pope was hard to accept. He looked unstable, sometimes frightening, someone who pushed people away. Over time, though, more of his past surfaced. Viewers learned about his trauma, his loyalties, his need for control, and the character slowly shifted from someone disliked to someone essential.

Hatosy himself described Pope as multidimensional. That was the word he used, and it fits. Pope was violent, yes, but also vulnerable. And as the seasons went on, he became one of the most memorable parts of Animal Kingdom.

The final episode

The last episode was intense. Betrayed by J, Pope ended up in a standoff with police. Gunfire followed, and it was implied that his time had come. Yet, as Hatosy pointed out, there was no moment where anyone declared a death on screen. That gap kept people talking.

Fans reacted in different ways. Some argued that the ending suited the character’s destructive journey. Others held on to the uncertainty, repeating that the story never gave a definitive closure. Whatever the case, the finale left enough space for debate to continue.

Popularity renewed

When Animal Kingdom appeared on Netflix, the effect was quick. It joined the platform’s most-watched list and stayed there for weeks. Third-party charts confirmed its popularity across several countries. This resurgence explained why interviews with the cast began to circulate again.

Jake Weary, who played Deran Cody, mentioned that he would be open to returning to the role if the chance appeared. That kind of comment kept fueling the discussion. For now, though, the situation remains the same: no studio has announced a new project connected to Animal Kingdom.

Spin-off questions

The idea of a spin-off has followed the show for some time. Hatosy’s words about Pope not having a clear death naturally fed the speculation. But speculation is all it is. There is no confirmation from TNT, Warner Bros., or Netflix. What exists is renewed interest, proven by streaming numbers, and a willingness from some actors to revisit their characters.

If the story were ever to continue, Netflix would look like a natural destination, since it now holds the audience. Still, that is only a possibility, not a plan in motion.

Lasting impact

Animal Kingdom was more than a crime thriller. It was about family bonds that could protect or destroy. Pope embodied that contradiction. He was both violent and fragile, loyal and unpredictable, making him a mirror of the themes the show carried through all six seasons.

For Hatosy, the connection went beyond performance. He admitted that the character became a part of him, and that is why the ending left him uneasy. It is a rare thing for an actor to say so openly, and it added another layer to how audiences remember Pope.

Conclusion

The words of Shawn Hatosy revived attention on Animal Kingdom at a time when the series was already trending again on streaming. The finale left Pope cornered and shot, but without a clear declaration of death, and that detail continues to spark conversation.

No official continuation has been announced, and the Codys’ saga officially closed in 2022. Still, the renewed popularity and the way actors like Hatosy and Weary talk about their roles keep the story alive in public memory. For many viewers, Animal Kingdom remains unfinished in feeling, even if the final episode aired years ago.