Why ‘Animal Kingdom’ Star Shawn Hatosy Thinks Death Makes Great TV (Exclusive Video)

“People will definitely be talking about it,” actor tells TheWrap’s Stuart Brazell about what’s next on his hit TNT series

Shawn Hatosy, star of TNT’s “Animal Kingdom,” tells TheWrap’s Stuart Brazell that his character, Pope Cody, may get himself into some trouble with his mother, Smurf, next season.

“Pope learns things through Season 1 about his relationship with Smurf. I think he starts to identify a little bit of the dysfunction,” Hatosy said. “He brushes back against it a little bit and hopefully it won’t be the death of him in Season 2.”

Although he didn’t confirm whether or not Pope or any other character would see their demise in Season 2, Hatosy said the uncertainty of life in “Animal Kingdom” was what made the show interesting.

“Just knowing that at any moment a character could get killed, I think, is great,” he said.

Based on the 2010 Australian film by David Michod, TNT’s “Animal Kingdom” follows Joshua “J” Cody (Finn Cole), a 17-year-old boy who moves in with his estranged grandmother’s criminal family after the death of his mother. Hatosy stars as Andrew “Pope” Cody, the family’s eldest son, who served time in prison. The series first debuted on June 14 and was renewed for a second season on July 6.

Hatosy said that Pope would need to leave family matriarch Janine “Smurf” Cody (Ellen Barkin) in order to be “whole and healthy” but that it could mean serious consequences for his character.

As for Episode 9 of the current season, Hatosy teased that it will include some of the hardest scenes, both physically and mentally, that he’s ever had to film.

“I think it will change the dynamic of our show going forward and people will definitely be talking about it,” he said.

TNT’s “Animal Kingdom” airs on Tuesdays at 9/8c.

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