This Overlooked Crime Drama Just Landed on Netflix — And Viewers Are Calling It One of the Most Realistic Shows Ever Made
A police drama with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score that fans say is ‘not to be missed’ has been made available to stream on Netflix.
Southland, created by Ann Biderman, landed on American channel NBC back in 2009, followed by TNT between 2010 and 2013.
The popular series is based on the lives of an American police department in Los Angeles.
There has been 43 episodes across five seasons.
It stars the likes of Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy and Regina King.
They are joined by Ben McKenzie, C. Thomas Howell, Kevin Alejandro, Michael McGrady, Tom Everett Scott and Arija Bareikis.
It has been over a decade since it was last on our screens, and fans will be over the moon to know that it is now available to watch on the popular streaming service.
‘Shot with gritty realism on the streets of LA, this hard-hitting procedural follows the daily grind of a group of veteran detectives and beat cops,’ Netflix’s synopsis reads.
A police drama with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score that fans say is ‘not to be missed’ has been made available to stream on Netflix
The American drama has received rave reviews, with many rushing to Rotten Tomatoes to give their verdict.
Southland has an impressive 90% on the Average Tomatometer, as well as 97% on the Popcornmeter.
And even The Wall Street Journal described it as ‘not to be missed’.
Meanwhile others have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their rave reviews.
‘If anyone is looking for something to watch….there is a fantastic new series starting on Netflix tomorrow which is definitely worth a watch Southland! Southland is one of the best and most underrated police series to ever be put on television!’
Southland is the best cop show I’ve ever seen … pls bring it back
If you are looking for something to binge and you never watched #Southland during its original run, it’s available on Netflix now. I’d argue it’s the most underrated cop show of all time…
‘Not new, but Southland just dropped on Netflix. What a hidden gem. Can’t believe I didn’t watch it when it was airing. Super gritty LA cop show.’
‘Thank you @Netflix for finally adding Southland!’
Many have rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their rave reviews about the series
‘One of the best cop shows ever made has just gone on Netflix. 5 seasons. 10/10.’
‘Public Service Announcement: Southland starts on Netflix on Sunday and if you ain’t seen it it’s f**king class. As you were.’
‘Southland never should have been cancelled. Great show, great cast, and it definitely still had legs. Just finished binging it on Netflix.’
‘Southland on Netflix. Amazing cop show.’
It comes after a Channel 5 detective drama branded as ‘better than Vera’ unveiled its series two trailer – with the start date confirmed as just days away.
Ellis stars Sharon D. Clarke as Detective Chief Inspector Ellis, with the programme having debuted in 2024.
The premise follows DCI Ellis and her assistant DS Chet Harper (Andrew Gower) as they are sent to assist in failing investigations at police stations in northern England.
Meanwhile, fans now get a look at series two, which is set to drop on March 10 and March 11.
A synopsis for series two teases: ‘Fresh from her victories in series one, DCI Ellis is once again parachuted into failing cases across the north of England.
‘With Harper at her side, she faces a new wave of fractured communities and suspicious deaths that test not only her forensic brilliance but her resilience.
‘The series takes them from a rural village, where the suspicious death of a beloved community leader exposes long-nursed resentments, to the industrial shadow of a stone works, where the death of a young woman reveals a hidden network of coercion and exploitation.
‘Every case peels back layers of silence, ambition, and betrayal.’
Stream Southland on Netflix now.
