13 Years Later, Michael Cudlitz’s Crime Drama With 98% Rotten Tomatoes Score Is A Must-See

I’m really excited about all the new things Netflix has added this January, but I’m especially thrilled they finally put up Southland! It’s a super realistic and gritty police drama from the early 2010s that I’d heard a lot about. It originally ended back in 2013, so it’s great that a whole new audience, like me, can finally discover this five-season show thanks to streaming.

Among the many popular and highly-regarded crime shows on television, Southland didn’t always grab headlines. However, it consistently received strong critical praise. With a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the series is considered one of the best police dramas of its time, despite not achieving the same widespread recognition as some others when it originally aired on TNT from 2009 to 2013.

Featuring Michael Cudlitz, known from The Walking Dead and Superman & Lois, and Ben McKenzie of Glee, Southland offers a realistic and gritty look at life in the Los Angeles Police Department. The show explores the difficult choices officers face, the emotional toll of the job, and the pressures within the system, and it’s quickly gaining a new audience on Netflix as viewers rediscover this compelling crime drama.

Southland Is One Of The Most Underrated Cop Shows

A Gritty And Human Crime Drama That Deserved Far More Attention

Southland offers a realistic look at policing in Los Angeles, showing the challenges, exhaustion, and ethical dilemmas faced by officers. The series frequently focuses on the relationship between veteran officer John Cooper, known for his intense personality, and Ben Sherman, a new recruit quickly learning the difficult realities of the job.

Unlike most police dramas, Southland doesn’t wrap up cases neatly or portray officers as flawless heroes. Arrests often feel difficult, and the show realistically depicts the lasting impact of violence. It focuses more on the emotional toll policing takes on officers than on creating exciting mysteries or featuring a ‘villain of the week’.

It’s likely that Southland didn’t gain as much attention as shows like The Shield or The Wire because of this approach. Those series benefited from a lot of hype and strong support from their networks, while Southland slowly earned a good reputation through its episodes, without actively trying to be seen as a high-quality, award-winning show.

The show had a difficult start. Although critics liked it, Southland was initially canceled by NBC after just one season. Luckily, TNT saved the series, giving it a chance to continue for four more seasons and develop its storylines further.

The show found a vital second chance. After TNT canceled it, the series was able to develop its characters more fully, hone its realistic style, and ultimately tell a complete story over five seasons. While many shows struggle after being canceled, Southland actually improved, becoming more assured and powerfully emotional.

Looking back, the show didn’t generate much buzz at first, but that seems to have been just bad timing, not a reflection of its quality. Southland’s realistic style and focus on characters are exactly what viewers want from crime dramas today, so it’s about time more people discovered it.

Why Reviews For Southland Are So Great

Realism And Character Depth Set It Apart From Typical Cop Shows

Much of the positive feedback for Southland comes from its realistic depiction of police work. The show doesn’t glamorize being a police officer; instead, it portrays it as a tough, emotionally taxing job filled with fear, frustration, and difficult ethical choices, rather than constant heroism or clear-cut justice.

As a real cinema fan, what always struck me about Southland was how deeply it explored its characters. It wasn’t about shocking twists, but about why these cops did what they did. The show didn’t shy away from showing their flaws – the mistakes they made, the guilt they carried, and how their personal lives messed with their work. I remember critics constantly pointing out how compelling it was to watch John Cooper’s unpredictable nature and, especially, Ben Sherman’s journey as he lost his naiveté. That emotional core is what really made the show stand out for me.

The actors’ performances are a major reason why Southland received such positive reviews. Michael Cudlitz gives a particularly nuanced performance as a police officer, convincingly showing both his tough side and his hidden vulnerabilities. Ben McKenzie keeps the show grounded in reality, making his character’s development feel natural and believable.

The show feels remarkably modern in its style. Southland uses shaky, handheld camera work and realistic conversations, making it feel like a documentary. It doesn’t offer simple solutions or clear-cut right and wrong answers, instead letting the audience grapple with complex situations and uncomfortable truths.

What sets the crime drama Southland apart is its smart and realistic approach. It doesn’t talk down to viewers, fall into predictable patterns, or portray characters as perfect heroes. Instead, it shows flawed people dealing with a difficult and imperfect world. This dedication to authenticity is why critics loved the show from the start, and why its reputation is finally matching its high quality, even after many years.

Southland Is Now Getting The Love It Deserves On Streaming

Netflix Has Finally Given The Series The Platform It Always Needed

When all five seasons of the 2010s crime drama Southland became available on Netflix in January 2026, the show experienced a sudden resurgence in popularity. It quickly gained a new following and climbed into the top 10 most-streamed shows on Netflix (according to FlixPatrol).

Southland really found its audience with streaming services. The show’s characters develop gradually over time, and the emotional impact is strongest when viewers can watch multiple episodes at once, fully experiencing their changes and journeys.

The recent surge in popularity for this show is similar to what’s happened with other forgotten dramas that gained new fans online. Freed from the pressure of weekly ratings and network demands, Southland can now be enjoyed for its strong storytelling and consistently high quality as a police show.

The show has recently gained attention online and in reviews, with many surprised it wasn’t more popular when it first aired. Compared to other popular crime dramas, Southland stands out as raw and realistic.

Even though it ended thirteen years ago, the show’s exploration of issues like exhaustion, dedication, and the pressures within organizations feels incredibly timely today. Now, with Netflix, Southland is finally reaching a wider audience and is being recognized as one of the best crime dramas out there.

2026-01-20 23:30