TNT Pushes ‘Animal Kingdom’ Premiere, Expands To Two Hours – Update

UPDATE: TNT is expanding the premiere episode of its new drama series Animal Kingdom to two hours and moving the launch to June 14 at 9 PM. It was previously set for June 7. The series stars Ellen Barkin, Scott Speedman, Shawn Hatosy, Ben Robson, Jake Weary, Finn Cole, Daniella Alonso and Molly Gordon.

PREVIOUS, March 24, 11 AM: Premiere dates have been set for TNT’s new drama series Animal Kingdom and Starz’s The Dresser, the premium cabler’s first movie for television.

Animal Kingdom, toplined by Ellen Barkin will debut Tuesday June 7 on TNT, and The Dresser, starring Ian McKellan and Anthony Hopkins will bow at 9 PM Monday, May 30 on Starz. The Dresser also will be made available simultaneously on May 30 for Starz subscribers on Starz Play and Starz on Demand, in the U.S.

Animal Kingdom centers on 17-year-old Joshua “J” Cody (Fin 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 (Scott 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.

The Dresser tells the story of one fateful night, backstage in a small regional theatre during World War II as a troupe of touring actors stages a production of Shakespeare’s King Lear. Bombs are falling, sirens are wailing, the curtain is up in an hour but the actor/manager Sir (Hopkins) who is playing Lear is nowhere to be seen. His dresser Norman (McKellen) must scramble to make sure the show goes on but will Sir turn up in time and if he does will he be able to perform that night?

You can see trailers for both above and below: