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TNT has renewed dramas Animal Kingdom and Claws for a fourth and third season, respectively. Both series rank among the top 10 highest-rated cable dramas in 2018.
In Animal Kingdom, Emmy and Tony winner Ellen Barkin stars as the matriarch of the Cody crime family, along with Shawn Hatosy, Ben Robson, Jake Weary, Finn Cole, Emmy nominee Denis Leary, Molly Gordon and Carolina Guerra.
In last season’s shocking cliffhanger, Baz (Scott Speedman) was shot while on his way to Mexico after framing Smurf (Barkin) for murder. Season three opens with Smurf in jail and her grandson J (Cole) in charge of the family business. The Cody men find themselves increasingly divided as they fight for both control and their independence but have to come together when outside threats emerge. Deran’s (Weary) drifter dad Billy (Leary) comes back to make amends but may have other motives.
Animal Kingdom’s two-night season three premiere on May 29 drew 4.3 million total viewers and 2 million in the key 18-49 demo when factoring in Live+7. Last season, Animal Kingdom averaged 4.1 million total viewers and was the only top 20 cable drama to experience year-over-year ratings growth. Additionally, its growth was seen on both linear and digital platforms, including a +61% increase in viewing from season one through TNT’s website, mobile apps and connected devices, as well as a +17% lift in DVR viewing.
Animal Kingdom is produced by John Wells Productions in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television. Emmy® winner John Wells serves as executive producer on the series. Animal Kingdom was developed for television by Jonathan Lisco and inspired by the award-winning feature film written & directed by David Michôd and produced by Liz Watts, who also serve as executive producers on the series.
Claws stars Niecy Nash (Getting On, The Soul Man), Carrie Preston (True Blood), Judy Reyes (Scrubs), Karrueche Tran (The Nice Guys), Jenn Lyon (Justified), Jack Kesy (The Strain), Kevin Rankin (Dallas Buyers Club, Friday Night Lights), Jason Antoon (Famous in Love), Jimmy Jean-Louis (Heroes), Suleka Mathew (Men in Trees), Harold Perrineau (Lost, Oz) and Dean Norris (Breaking Bad) star in the hour-long dramedy series
The series follows the rise of five treacherous manicurists working at the Nail Artisans of Manatee County salon, where there is a lot more going on than silk wraps and pedicures. At the center of this diverse group is salon owner Desna (Nash), who works alongside her salon staff to launder money from Suncoast Rejuvenation, a barely legal pain clinic operated by the Dixie Mafia. While it has always been Desna’s mission to break free of the redneck syndicate and become her own boss, last season saw Desna trade one crime boss for another as the mob took control of both the pain clinic and the salon. With new management comes new problems for the women to navigate.
A multiplatform reach of 5.4 million viewers per episode vaulted Claws into the top 5 new cable dramas of 2017. Last season, the series secured strong momentum with in-season growth of more than 40% and earned the title of the #1 cable series on VOD during its run.
Both series are expected to launch new seasons next summer.
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