Watch Southland

Southland was a gritty, dramatic police procedural that aired on TNT from 2009 to 2013, featuring a talented cast of actors such as Kevin Alejandro, Michael McGrady, Tom Everett Scott, Dorian Missick, C. Thomas Howell, Ben McKenzie, Emily Bergl, Shawn Hatosy, Roxana Brusso, Regina King, Michael Cudlitz, L. Scott Caldwell, Lucy Liu, and Arija Bareikis.

Set in the diverse, sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles, the show chronicled the lives of LAPD officers as they encountered a wide range of crimes and criminals, from gang violence to domestic disputes to missing persons cases. The show's focus was not just on the crimes themselves, but on the human stories behind them – the lives of the officers and the people they were trying to help.

Kevin Alejandro played Detective Nate Moretta, a tough, streetwise cop who struggled to maintain his professionalism while dealing with the pressures of his home life. Michael McGrady played Detective Daniel "Sal" Salinger, Nate's seasoned partner who served as a mentor and confidant. Tom Everett Scott played Detective Russell Clarke, a former lawyer-turned-cop who brought a unique perspective to the force. Dorian Missick played Detective Ruben Robinson, a compassionate and empathetic officer who was always willing to go the extra mile for victims and their families. C. Thomas Howell played Officer Billy Dewey, a reckless and unpredictable cop who often caused more problems than he solved.

The show also followed the personal lives of the officers, including the struggles they faced both on and off the job. Ben McKenzie played Officer Ben Sherman, a rookie cop who faced constant challenges on the job while dealing with his family's expectations and his own personal demons. Emily Bergl played Tammi Bryant, Ben's girlfriend who supported him through his trials and tribulations. Shawn Hatosy played Detective Sammy Bryant, Ben's partner who faced his own challenges as a father and husband. Roxana Brusso played Detective Alicia Fernandez, a tough and ambitious officer who was not afraid to speak her mind. Regina King played Detective Lydia Adams, a skilled investigator who had her own personal demons to confront.

The show's ensemble cast was rounded out by Michael Cudlitz as Officer John Cooper, a veteran cop who struggled with addiction and depression; L. Scott Caldwell as his partner, Officer Chickie Brown, a tough and fierce officer who was not afraid to take on the toughest cases; Lucy Liu as Officer Jessica Tang, a tough and efficient cop who brought a new level of professionalism to the force; and Arija Bareikis as Officer Chickie Brown, a compassionate and dedicated officer who was not afraid to get her hands dirty.

Southland was praised for its realistic portrayal of police work, from the mundane aspects of the job to the intense moments of danger and excitement. The show was also lauded for its strong character development, with each officer given their own unique backstory and personal struggles to overcome. The show tackled difficult subjects such as racism, corruption, and addiction with honesty and empathy, while also highlighting the bravery and sacrifices of those who serve and protect.

Overall, Southland was a tense and engrossing police drama that explored the complexities of law enforcement and the lives of those who dedicate themselves to it. Its talented cast and powerful storytelling made it a must-watch for fans of the genre.

Southland is a series that is currently running and has 5 seasons (43 episodes). The series first aired on April 9, 2009.