Steven Spielberg Praised Canceled Show Southland as Genius for Its Writing

Steven Spielberg, a renowned filmmaker active since the 1970s who has worked in various creative roles, once stated that the canceled TV series “Southland,” which had a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, was a genius work due to its exceptional writing. Over his extensive career, Spielberg has collaborated with numerous writers, producers, and creatives, both in film and television. His early directing experiences include stints on shows like “Columbo,” “The Name of the Game,” and “Night Gallery.” Impressively, his executive producing roles in television span genres, from “The Pacific” to “Under the Dome.

If someone understands quality in filmmaking, it’s none other than Steven Spielberg. One of his commendable traits is that he has consistently been open to backing the arts and expressing admiration for works and individuals he believes are worthy of it. Unlike a director such as Quentin Tarantino, who is well-known for his bold, unfiltered opinions on cinema, Spielberg leans more towards being a thoughtful, grandfatherly figure. In the realm of television writing, sustaining quality and consistency over an extended period can be challenging, but the series “Southland” managed to do so, and Spielberg acknowledged this.

Steven Spielberg Once Called Southland A “Genius” TV Show With Great Writing

Spielberg Said That The Best Writing Was Happening On Television

In May 2009, Steven Spielberg was bestowed with an honorary doctorate from Boston University. Before the ceremony, he did an interview with BU Today. During the conversation, Spielberg expressed his views on television as a valuable learning ground for filmmakers and mentioned that some of today’s finest writing is being done in this medium. When questioned about the shows he was following, Spielberg replied, “I watch John Wells’ new show Southland, which I think is brilliant.” At that time, Spielberg was referring to the first season of Southland.

Spielberg Is Right About The 5-Season Procedural

Southland Is A Tightly Written And Focused Series

Steven Spielberg had a point when he deemed Southland brilliant. This five-season police drama premiered in 2009 and ran until 2013. On Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts an impressive 90%. The series delves into the lives of the Los Angeles Police Department members, with Ben Sherman (played by Ben McKenzie) and his senior partner John Cooper (Michael Cudlitz) as its main characters. Unlike many police procedurals, Southland places a greater emphasis on the personal lives of the officers. With fewer serialized storylines, the show kept a sharp focus instead.

I found myself deeply invested in the gritty drama of “Southland,” a series that predominantly revolved around a tight-knit team composed of characters like Cooper, Sherman, Lydia Adams (portrayed by Regina King), and Sammy Bryant (played by Shawn Hatosy). Unlike many procedurals, each character was meticulously developed, giving them depth that’s not always found in such shows. The series offers a raw depiction of police work, leaving your heart pounding as you anticipate the challenges the LAPD will face in each new case. It’s a thrilling ride, with its straightforward storylines exuding a strong sense of writing assurance.

The Reason Southland Was Canceled Despite Its Great Quality

Some Of The Actors Were Starring In Upcoming Pilots

Although receiving high critical acclaim, the series Southland was terminated in May 2013, a month post its season 5 finale (according to Deadline). Initially airing on NBC, the show was dropped by the network. However, TNT took it up for the following four seasons, becoming a source of pride for them. Regrettably, TNT had to take the tough call to discontinue the series, with a representative stating, “TNT has made the challenging decision not to renew Southland for another season. We are incredibly proud of Southland, which stands as one of the finest police dramas ever produced.“.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but speculate that the simultaneous appearances of three key stars in different pilot shows could potentially be linked to the unexpected cancellation of “Southland.” Moon Bloodgood starred on CBS’s “Reckless,” Ben McKenzie was part of ABC’s “Divorce: A Love Story,” and Michael Cudlitz featured in CBS’s “The Advocates.” It’s a real pity that the show had to end, especially since it was at its peak. Still, we have five seasons of this remarkable series, including Steven Spielberg among its fans, to revisit and cherish.

2025-05-17 00:59