NBC’s Underrated Crime Drama Gets a New Chance at Redemption on Netflix 13 Years After Cancellation

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I’m so excited that streaming services are bringing back shows I thought I’d lost forever! It’s amazing how they unearth these hidden gems, and right now, I’m thrilled about Southland. I remember when that crime drama was canceled, and now it’s headed to…

Netflix has become a major force in television, and will likely be in film once it acquires Warner Bros. But it’s also a great place to find shows from the past. For example, the series Southland, which originally aired on NBC before being canceled, will be available to stream on Netflix starting January 16th – 13 years after it ended.

This police drama takes place in Los Angeles and shows what it’s really like to be a police officer or detective in a busy city. The story centers around experienced officer John Cooper, who is tasked with training a new recruit, Ben Sherman. Sherman begins to doubt his abilities as an officer after seeing Cooper’s tough and direct methods.

Ann Biderman, the creator of Ray Donovan, also developed the crime drama Southland. It first aired on NBC on April 9, 2009, and later moved to TNT on March 2, 2010, where it continued until its final episode on April 17, 2013.

This period saw the debut of many critically acclaimed shows, including Breaking Bad, Mad Men, The Walking Dead, Community, Parks and Recreation, and Modern Family. It ended around the time Netflix released its first original series, House of Cards.

Southland Had Stellar Reviews

Despite not becoming a mainstream hit, the show was well-received by critics. Across its five seasons, the crime series earned a strong 90% approval rating from critics, and an impressive 98% liked it from viewers.

The first season of Southland received a 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, earning a “Certified Fresh” badge despite being the lowest-rated season of the show. Critics generally found it to be a gritty and visually impressive series, though they felt the characters weren’t fully developed. Interestingly, the text also states Season 1 received a 91% rating from critics, creating a discrepancy.

From seasons 2 through 4, the show consistently received overwhelmingly positive audience reviews, scoring a perfect 100%. Season 2 saw a slight increase to 94% and was praised by critics as a significant step forward, with many highlighting its blend of exciting action, well-developed characters, and engaging plotlines. While Season 3 received a slightly lower score of 83% from critics, the final two seasons (4 and 5) both earned perfect ratings. Season 5 also resonated strongly with audiences, achieving a 97% approval rating.

Even acclaimed director Steven Spielberg praised the crime drama, calling it “genius.” In 2009, he told Boston University that he was a fan of the show Southland, along with series like The West Wing and Mad Men, and even enjoyed reality TV. Despite Spielberg’s support, the show didn’t last, but it’s worth checking out now that it’s available on Netflix.

Southland debuts on Netflix on Jan. 16.

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2026-01-16 03:09