Crime dramas have been a popular part of television for many years. Shows that center around police work, criminal investigations, and the legal system, often exploring difficult questions about right and wrong, what makes people tick, and how justice works, have consistently drawn viewers in. From long-running series like Law & Order to critically acclaimed shows like The Wire and Mindhunter, the genre has a dedicated fanbase. Now, fans can rediscover a hidden gem – all five seasons of a fantastic, yet often overlooked, crime drama are now available on Netflix.
Despite running for five seasons on NBC and TNT between 2009 and 2013, the crime drama Southland never quite found the large audience it deserved. Now, all five seasons and 43 episodes are available on Netflix, hoping to reach a wider viewership. Created by Ann Biderman, the show follows the challenging lives of experienced detectives and patrol officers with the Los Angeles Police Department. It stars Michael Cudlitz as seasoned officer John Cooper, who mentors rookie Ben Sherman (Ben McKenzie), alongside fellow detectives Lydia Adams (Regina King) and Sammy Bryant (Shawn Hatosy).
Southland Is the Gritty Crime Drama You Need To See
As a crime drama fan, I can confidently say Southland is seriously one of the best – and criminally underrated – shows out there. It wasn’t just a flash in the pan, either. While it started strong with a 77% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it actually improved over time. By Seasons 4 and 5, critics were giving it a perfect 100%! And the audience loved it just as much, with near-perfect ratings across all seasons – even the first and last ones scored impressively at 91% and 97%, respectively. It’s a show that consistently delivers, and I’m surprised it doesn’t get more recognition.
This police drama is a realistic and compelling look at the challenges of law enforcement in Los Angeles. Critics, including Matt Zoller Seitz of Vulture, have called it the best cop series since the first season of Homicide. The show doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of the job, using a raw, handheld camera style to capture the chaos and emotional strain on the officers. Southland presents flawed and overworked characters who make mistakes, making the story feel authentic and relatable. If you enjoy police dramas like The Wire or The Shield, this is a must-see binge-worthy series.
What’s New on Netflix?
Netflix has added a lot of new movies and TV shows to its streaming service. For those looking for something to watch, all five seasons of Falling Skies and three seasons of The Following are now available, as part of Netflix’s January 2026 update. On the movie side, they’ve added titles like Dawn of the Dead, Ghostbusters: Answer the Call, and Man on Fire.
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2026-01-16 20:44