Spencer Treat Clark discusses Animal Kingdom Season 4
By Rachel Roth
Animal Kingdom’s Spencer Treat Clark gives a brief update on what his character will be doing in the fourth season.
Based on the Australian movie of the same name, that’s based on the Pettingill family, TNT’s Animal Kingdom is about a crime family living in southern California controlled by matriarch Smurf Cody (Ellen Barkin). It’s had three seasons already and the fourth is set to start filming early next year.
The series starts when 17-year-old J Cody (Finn Cole) is sent to live with his grandmother after his mother dies of an overdose, and he’s reintroduced to his wild uncles that he hasn’t seen in years. They include adopted son Baz (Scott Speedman), the mentally unstable Andrew “Pope” (Shawn Hatosy), drug addict Craig (Ben Robson), and runt of the litter Deran (Jake Weary). Things quickly spiral out of control for the family as this Point Break inspired group struggles to continue their criminal careers while dealing with family drama.
More from Drama
- The Serpent Queen season 2 release updates and everything we know
- Is Quantum Leap on tonight? (November 22, 2023)
- Is Magnum P.I. on tonight? (Nov. 22, 2023)
- Miss Scarlet and the Duke returns for season 4 at the top of 2024
- The Way Home season 2 trailer reveals 1800s storyline and release date!
It’s hectic all around, but the youngest Cody is a special case. While his brothers had problems of their own, no one screamed SELF-LOATHING DRAMA like Deran. One of the shows major plotlines revolved around him coming to terms with his sexuality while living in a macho-man testosterone-dominated world. Spencer Treat Clark plays local competitive surfer, Adrian Dolan, who had been in a secret relationship with Deran for years.
Season 1 dealt with a brief domestic abuse crisis between them before the two broke up. Midway through Season 2, they slowly began to rebuild their relationship.
Their relationship has grown throughout the course of the series, and after three years of on-and-off again dating, they finally got official. Deran even tried buying them a house. However, their peaceful bliss came to an end in the Season 3 finale when Adrian got arrested for trying to smuggle drugs through the airport.
Fans were divided by this choice in action and pretty much argued about it for two months; pointlessly argued I may say. Some thought it a great way to give Adrian his own storyline, some thought it ruined Adrian’s character who had been portrayed as well-grounded and sensible till then, and some just thought it was a way to kick him off the show.
Personally, I think this is the start of a great storyline. I hate how so many fans think Adrian’s so innocent, because he’s not. You don’t fall in love with a grumpy, hot-headed tattooed professional criminal who you know probably killed a few people in the past, by being innocent. Adrian knows how Deran makes money, but he clearly doesn’t care, his only issue was ever Smurf. He’s just a quieter, kinder version of Deran.
Those who worried Clark’s character might be leaving the show can calm down. In an interview with DAMAN magazine, Clark discussed Adrian’s future post drug-arrest, indicating that he’ll be sticking around. In the interview, he admitted that he doesn’t know much about Season 4 except that it’ll open with Adrian in a lot of trouble and he’ll make a decision that will either push him further towards the Codys or pit him against them. My money is on the former.
That’s all he said, but it’s enough to confirm that Adrian will not magically vanish by going to prison. It sounds like he won’t get out of doing prison time though, hence the “big trouble” part. Smurf spent a large chunk of Season 3 in jail while also maintaining her large presence on the show, so it’ll be somewhat familiar territory.
Those who have seen the Animal Kingdom film will notice the striking similarities occurring in the series version. Of course, some things have changed, but it’s outline follows the original very closely and because of this, I have high hopes for Deran and Adrian to reach the series finale alive.
The original Deran from the movie is the only character to escape unscathed. He survives completely untouched. Adrian may be an original character but he’s an extension of Deran, so I think they’ll both make it out okay.
Not to mention Clark’s sister, Eliza Clark, is one of the writers for the show. I doubt she’ll let her brother get written out so disgracefully.
Next. Everything to know about TNT’s limited series I Am the Night. dark
This has nothing to do with Animal Kingdom, but the interview also confirmed that Clark has been cast to play a character on Netflix’s The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
Animal Kingdom Season 4 doesn’t have a release date yet, but it’s likely to premiere sometime in mid-2019.