Emily Deschanel’s 10-Year-Old Bones Replacement, Animal Kingdom, Has Become a Global Sensation

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Given how beloved Bones was by audiences around the world during its impressive 12-year run (from September 2005 to March 2017), finding a show to fill its shoes seemed nearly impossible. However, Emily Deschanel’s new series has done just that, proving to be another captivating show that consistently draws viewers in.

Emily Deschanel, best known for playing Dr. Temperance Brennan on the show Bones with David Boreanaz, later joined Season 4 of Animal Kingdom. Her role as Angela Kane boosted the already popular series, appearing after Bones concluded its 246-episode run.

Netflix’s Animal Kingdom is experiencing a surge in popularity, landing in the top 10 globally and ranking as the second most-watched show in many countries. This success comes four years after the series finale in 2022, and highlights the compelling story of the Cody family – Shawn Hatosy, Ben Robson, Jake Weary, Finn Cole, and Ellen Barkin – a ruthless criminal group led by their powerful mother, Janine.

A Different Bones Shows Up In Animal Kingdom

Viewers just discovering Animal Kingdom will quickly realize Angela Kane is a stark contrast to Emily Deschanel’s familiar role as Dr. Bones. These two characters showcase Deschanel’s range, representing a balance between light and darkness, and demanding she tap into very different acting skills for each series.

Deschanel shared with Build Series that this role has been particularly challenging. She explained it was difficult because she was still developing an understanding of the character, and also because the character’s actions involved influencing others. While she doesn’t see herself as manipulative in real life, as an actress, she believes in fully embracing a role without self-imposed limitations.

Deschanel explained that playing the complex character of Angela made her confront a difficult truth about herself. She realized that while she doesn’t see herself as manipulative, portraying the role forced her to acknowledge that she sometimes tries to influence others, though with good intentions.

Everyone knows Animal Kingdom is a gritty and exciting show, and that’s likely why audiences on Rotten Tomatoes have given it an 88% approval rating – a little better than the 84% rating for the classic series Bones.

That fact alone strongly suggests why the show remains as popular as it is, even almost ten years after Zooey Deschanel finished playing her heroic character and took on a role as a dangerous and cunning mastermind.

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2026-02-06 00:06