Canceled Police Drama Experiences Streaming Renaissance on Netflix
The police procedural drama Southland, which originally aired from 2009 to 2013, has experienced a remarkable resurgence after being added to Netflix's streaming library. The series, which follows Los Angeles Police Department officers navigating the complexities of urban law enforcement, has quickly climbed into the platform's top 10 rankings, much to the delight of both longtime fans and new viewers.
Critical Acclaim and Fan Devotion
Created by Emmy Award-winning writer Ann Biderman, Southland features standout performances from Michael Cudlitz as veteran officer John Cooper, Ben McKenzie as rookie Ben Sherman, and Regina King as Detective Lydia Adams. The show's final two seasons achieved a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, cementing its critical reputation despite its premature cancellation after five seasons.
Following the series' initial cancellation, devoted fans expressed profound disappointment, with many describing the show as "staggeringly good" and "devastating" to lose. Now, with its Netflix debut, viewers are enthusiastically rediscovering what they consider the most accurate depiction of policing ever presented on television.
Viewer Reactions and Enduring Praise
On IMDb and other platforms, fans have been vocal about the series' underrated status. One viewer named Derrel wrote: "Southland is absolutely one of the best cop dramas to ever be made! The cast is excellent and make it a very believable show. It really is one of the more underrated shows in television history!"
Another fan, Rob, echoed this sentiment: "Southland is one of the best and most underrated police series to ever be put on television! It's a surprisingly fresh take on the cop show genre. Every episode is compelling and will hold your interest."
Additional viewers have noted the series' addictive quality, with Patterson warning that "once you start you need to clear your schedule." Some have even placed Southland among television's greatest series, comparing it to acclaimed shows like The Sopranos, The Wire, and Breaking Bad.
Series Synopsis and Streaming Context
The official series description highlights the central dynamic between veteran officer John Cooper and rookie Ben Sherman, with the latter questioning his suitability for police work after witnessing Cooper's uncompromising approach to law enforcement. This mentor-protege relationship forms the emotional core of the series' exploration of policing realities.
Southland's streaming success arrives amid Netflix's ongoing platform evolution. The service recently discontinued support for certain older devices, including Sony's PlayStation 3 and first-generation Amazon Fire TV devices, affecting millions of users. Despite these technical changes, the addition of acclaimed series like Southland continues to attract subscribers seeking quality programming.
All five seasons of Southland are now available for streaming on Netflix, offering both existing fans and new viewers the opportunity to experience what many consider one of television's most authentic and compelling police dramas.
