Fans Demand Revival of Gritty Crime Drama 'Southland'

The acclaimed police procedural series deserves a comeback on streaming after finding new life on Netflix.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 11:52pm

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The gritty crime drama series Southland, which aired from 2009 to 2013, is being called for a revival by fans after finding a new audience on Netflix. The show, created by Ann Biderman and executive produced by John Wells, was praised for its realistic and unsentimental portrayal of the lives of LAPD patrol officers and detectives, focusing on the psychological toll of the job. Despite critical acclaim and a devoted cult following, the series was cancelled prematurely. Now, with Southland ranking as one of Netflix's top-watched shows, there are calls to revive the series and continue the stories of characters like Ben Sherman, John Cooper, and Lydia Adams.

Why it matters

Southland redefined the police drama genre with its raw, authentic storytelling and uncompromising depiction of the realities of law enforcement. The show's popularity on Netflix proves there is still a strong audience demand for this type of gritty, character-driven crime drama, especially given the current climate of heightened tensions around policing and social issues. Reviving Southland could allow the series to once again push the boundaries of the genre and provide a platform to explore these complex themes.

The details

Created by Ann Biderman and executive produced by John Wells, Southland premiered on NBC in 2009 to positive reviews and strong ratings. However, the network ultimately cancelled the series, reportedly due to its dark and gritty tone being too intense for broadcast television. Fortunately, TNT stepped in and aired four more seasons, during which the show developed a devoted cult following and critical acclaim, earning a 90% critics' score and 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The series followed the personal and professional lives of LAPD patrol officers and detectives, with a focus on the psychological impact of the job, including trauma, burnout, and moral complexities.

  • Southland premiered on NBC in 2009.
  • The series was cancelled by NBC but later revived by TNT, airing from 2010 to 2013.
  • On January 16, 2026, all 5 seasons of Southland were added to Netflix, where the show quickly became one of the platform's top-watched titles.

The players

Ann Biderman

The creator of Southland, who also wrote the crime drama series Ray Donovan.

John Wells

The executive producer of Southland, known for his work on other acclaimed TV dramas like ER and The West Wing.

Ben McKenzie

The actor who played rookie LAPD officer Ben Sherman on Southland.

Michael Cudlitz

The actor who portrayed veteran cop John Cooper, Ben Sherman's training officer, on Southland.

Regina King

The actress who starred as LAPD homicide detective Lydia Adams, one of the show's central characters.

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What’s next

Fans are hopeful that a streaming service will recognize the renewed interest in Southland and greenlight a revival of the acclaimed crime drama series.

The takeaway

Southland's gritty realism and character-driven storytelling made it one of the best police dramas on television, and its recent surge in popularity on Netflix proves there is still a strong demand for this type of authentic, no-holds-barred crime series. A revival could allow the show to once again push the boundaries of the genre and provide a platform to explore complex themes around law enforcement and social issues.