Netflix snaps up drama 'that blows Peaky Blinders out of the water'

Netflix snaps up drama 'that blows Peaky Blinders out of the water'
Source: Daily Mail Online

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Netflix has acquired an acclaimed drama with a whopping 88% Rotten Tomatoes score - and 'blows Peaky Blinders out of the water'.

Originally airing on screens from 2016 to 2022, the popular series is now streaming on Netflix UK.

Animal Kingdom follows the Cody family - who run a criminal enterprise in Oceanside, California.

Teenager Joshua 'J' Cody (Finn Cole) moves in with estranged grandmother Janine 'Smurf' Cody (Ellen Barkin) after his mother's death.

The series features various heists, while flashbacks to the 70s, 80s and 90s depict Smurf as a younger criminal.

As it stands, Animal Kingdom's TV adaptation has been well-received on Rotten Tomatoes, with one user penning: 'Amazing show. Great writing, great characters, great cast, tragic ending.'

An acclaimed crime drama claimed to 'blow Peaky Blinders out of the water' is now streaming on Netflix UK

Developed by Jonathan Lisco, Animal Kingdom aired for six seasons between 2016 until ending in 2022

The show also features flashbacks to the 1970s and 1980s, with Leila George (pictured) playing a younger Janine 'Smurf' Cody, one of the leads

A second person concurred: 'Amazing show definitely one if not the best show I've ever seen.'
While a third remarked: 'Amazing!! Such a great plot, amazing acting... so good!!'

Taking to Reddit, some viewers compared the series to beloved BBC period crime drama Peaky Blinders.

It is fitting, as actor Finn Cole played major roles in both shows, starring as Michael Gray in the Birmingham-based show from 2014 to 2022.

One fan wrote: 'Animal Kingdom blows Peaky Blinders out of the water.'

Another added: 'Highly underrated show imo.'

Meanwhile, Animal Kingdom based upon a 2010 Australian film of the same name, which starred Guy Pearce, Ben Mendelsohn and Joel Edgerton.

The movie screenplay was in turn inspired by the real-life several crimes allegedly committed by the Pettingill family of Melbourne.

In particular, the 1988 murders of two police officers, which brothers Trevor Pettingill and Victor Peirce were accused of committing.

Last month, it was revealed Netflix snapped up all ten seasons of iconic superhero show Smallville, starring Tom Welling as a pre-Superman version of Clark Kent

Last month, it was revealed the streaming platform snapped up the 'best superhero series ever written' - and fans are seriously impressed with the iconic show.

The much-loved series depicts a reimagined take on a beloved comic book character.

Airing from 2001 to 2011, Smallville starred Tom Welling as Clark Kent, who of course goes on to become Superman.

Viewers on the streaming service can now sink their teeth into all 10 seasons of the superhero drama.

Meanwhile, the first five seasons cover Clark's coming-of-age experiences in high school.

He spends time with early flame Lana Lang (Kristen Kreuk) and friend-turned-eventual bitter foe Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum).

In the second half of the series, Clark matures into adulthood which sees him start working at the Daily Planet.

Key figures during this era include familiar love interest Lois Lane (Erica Durance) as well as ally Oliver Queen/Green Arrow (Justin Hartley).

One fan wrote online: 'The thing I love the most is how it's a perfect blend of teen drama and Superman! I will never come over the emptiness I felt when I finished it.'
Another added: 'Loved the whole premise of the show Superman before he was Superman.
'Cast has great chemistry. Complex relationships. Could probably have progressed some storylines a little faster but still a lot of fun within those episodes.
'Show had me rooting for people and relationships I knew was destined to fail. One of my favourite rewatches.'
A third chimed in: 'Smallville is genuinely one of the best Superman projects out there and it gives us the only prequel project of Clark Kent's steps to becoming The Man of Steel.'
A fourth penned: 'I love most of the Superhero shows that are out there (of course there are some that are awful) but Smallville is absolutely one of my favourites of all-time! It tells the story of Clark Kent before he became Superman.
'Every episode is as exciting as the one before it and I can't say enough about Tom Welling, he was fantastic as Clark Kent!'