Southland Brings Its Raw LAPD Stories to Netflix
Fans of hard-hitting crime dramas have a new reason to fire up Netflix — the celebrated series Southland is finally available to stream in its entirety. Known for its gritty realism and character-driven storytelling, the show stands out among decades of police procedurals that have captivated audiences, from Dragnet and Hill Street Blues to NYPD Blue and NCIS.
Originally debuting on NBC in 2009, Southland faced a rocky start. Just weeks before the planned release of its second season, NBC abruptly canceled it. Fortunately, TNT stepped in to rescue the series, allowing it to continue for four more seasons until its conclusion in 2013.
More Than Just a Procedural
While Southland was marketed as a police procedural, its real strength lies in the human stories behind the badge. Over five seasons and 43 episodes, the show follows a diverse group of LAPD officers and detectives as they navigate the intense dangers of their work alongside the complexities of their personal lives.
Michael Cudlitz stars as veteran officer John Cooper, who begins the series mentoring rookie Ben Sherman, played by Ben McKenzie. As the show progresses, audiences meet Detective Sammy Bryant (Shawn Hatosy), who later returns to street patrol, and homicide detective Lydia Adams (Regina King), whose skills and determination make her a standout in the department.
The ensemble cast is rounded out by notable guest appearances from C. Thomas Howell, Tom Everett Scott, Laz Alonso, Bokeem Woodbine, Jamie McShane, Chad Michael Murray, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Lucy Liu.
The Vision Behind the Drama
Southland was created by Ann Biderman, who previously worked on the Emmy-winning NYPD Blue. After Southland, Biderman created Showtime’s Ray Donovan, another acclaimed crime drama starring Liev Schreiber.
A Show That Only Got Better
For many television fans, Southland is a rare example of a series that improved with each season. The first season, a brief seven-episode run, felt like a proof of concept. Season two expanded the scope but was limited to six episodes. From season three onward, the show hit its stride, delivering deeply immersive storytelling that captured the unpredictable and often perilous reality of police work.
Critics agreed — Southland holds a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with perfect scores for its final two seasons. Unfortunately, the series ended with season five, closing on a cliffhanger that left fans speculating about the fate of a major character.
Stream It Now
Although its run ended a decade ago, Southland remains a powerful and relevant drama. Now streaming all five seasons on Netflix, it’s the perfect time for new viewers to experience the raw, unfiltered look at life in the LAPD — and for longtime fans to revisit one of television’s most underrated gems.
