TNT has added two new original dramas to its 2016 programming slate. Good Behavior starring Michelle Dockery and Juan Diego Botto is an adaptation of the Letty Dobesh novels from Blake Crouch. Animal Kingdom starring Ellen Barkin and Scott Speedman is an adaptation of the movie of the same name. Both series have been given 10-episode series orders.
"Good Behavior and Animal Kingdom are muscular, distinct dramas that will define the new direction of TNT," said Sarah Aubrey, Executive Vice President of Original Programming, TNT. "We believe audiences will love watching Michelle Dockery trade in her manners for the life of a sexy, complex ex-con in Good Behavior and Ellen Barkin and Scott Speedman command an unruly family of criminals and adrenaline junkies in Animal Kingdom."
Good Behavior tells the story of Letty Dobesh (Dockery), a thief and con artist whose life is always one wrong turn, or one bad decision from implosion - which is exactly how she likes it. Fresh out of prison, Letty tries to stay afloat; reunite with her 10-year-old son, who is currently being raised by her mother Estelle (Lusia Strus); and regularly see her substance-abuse counselor, Christian (Terry Kinney), whose motives for helping her are questionable. Chaos returns to Letty's life when she overhears a hitman (Botto) being hired to kill a man's wife, and sets out to derail the job. She soon finds herself on a collision course with the killer, entangling both of them in a dangerously captivating relationship.
Chad Hodge wrote the pilot and will serve as showrunner for the first season. Hodge will also executive produce with author Blake Crouch, Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements. Charlotte Sieling directed the pilot. ITV Studios and Tomorrow Studios produce.
Animal Kingdom centers on 17-year-old Joshua "J" Cody (Finn Cole), who moves in with his freewheeling relatives in their Southern California beach town after his mother dies of a heroin overdose. Headed by boot-tough matriarch Janine "Smurf" Cody (Barkin) and her right-hand Baz (Speedman), who runs the business and calls the shots, the clan also consists of Pope (Shawn Hatosy), the oldest and most dangerous of the Cody boys; Craig (Ben Robson), the tough and fearless middle son; and Deran (Jake Weary), the troubled, suspicious "baby" of the family. Also prominent are Nicky (Molly Gordon), J's steady girlfriend, and Catherine (Daniella Alonso), Baz's de factor wife and the mother of their 3-year-old daughter, Lena.
It isn't long before Josh is pulled into the family's life of indulgence and excess, but he soon discovers that it's all being funded by criminal activities. Joining the family comes with more danger and excitement than he might be ready to handle.
Jonathan Lisco wrote the pilot and will serve as showrunner for the first season. John Wells directed the pilot. Lisco and Wells will executive produce with Andrew Stearn, Liz Watts and David Michod. Warner Horizon Television and John Wells Productions will produce.
