Southland poster

TV series

Southland

2009TV-145 seasons7.9 / 10

Protect. Serve. Survive.

A raw and authentic look into the Los Angeles crime scene, going far inside the lives of cops, criminals, victims and their families. The show centers on four main characters: Officer John Cooper, a seasoned cop who will have to prove himself again after recovering from surgery; Officer Ben Sherman, who still has much to learn after recently completing his training rotation; Detective Lydia Adams, whose unending caseload hits closer to home; and Sammy Bryant, a former detective who decided to go back to being a uniform cop after the traumatic death of his partner.

Streaming, rental and purchase options

Where to watch in United States

Checked Jul 22, 2026

Southland is available to stream on Netflix in United States. You can also rent or buy it from Google Play, Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.

Availability and prices can change. Confirm the details on the streaming service before you subscribe, rent or buy.

Synopsis

A raw and authentic look into the Los Angeles crime scene, going far inside the lives of cops, criminals, victims and their families. The show centers on four main characters: Officer John Cooper, a seasoned cop who will have to prove himself again after recovering from surgery; Officer Ben Sherman, who still has much to learn after recently completing his training rotation; Detective Lydia Adams, whose unending caseload hits closer to home; and Sammy Bryant, a former detective who decided to go back to being a uniform cop after the traumatic death of his partner.

Season 2 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

← Season 1

Episode 1

Phase Three

42m8.0 / 10

Lydia and her new partner, Detective Rene Cordero, investigate the disappearance of an elderly man. Meanwhile, Nate and Sammy investigate a freeway shooting and inadvertently threaten the integrity of a major undercover operation. Elsewhere, Chickie finds herself in the middle of a mini-riot after her new partner panics and takes a shot at a 13-year-old boy.

Episode credits

Directed by Christopher ChulackWritten by Ann Biderman, John WellsGuest stars Mario Cortez, Roxana Brusso, Jermaine Jackson, Robert Vazquez, J. J. Soria

Where to watch Southland

Episode 2

Butch & Sundance

42m8.2 / 10

John and Ben are the first responders to a gruesome triple homicide in Hancock Park, where a mother is bludgeoned to death and her young daughters are found bound, gagged, raped and dead in their bedrooms. In investigating the case, Lydia and Rene realize they have two very different investigation styles. Meanwhile, Sammy continues to have problems with his wife and Ben confronts John about his increasing reliance on pain pills.

Episode credits

Directed by Nelson McCormickWritten by Robin Green, Mitchell BurgessGuest stars Emily Bergl, Jonathan Castellanos

Where to watch Southland

Episode 3

U-Boat

42m8.5 / 10

Ben, assigned to work on his own for the first time, responds to a call about a 9-year old girl who wandered off and finds himself emotionally distraught over a woman who is being harassed by an ex-lover with a tendency towards violence against women. Lydia and Rene spend the day checking assisting Brianna, the mother of the baby found crawling down the street. Over in Gangs, Detective Gil Puente leads the task force to take down ex-banger Trinny Day, but clashes with Sal and Sammy who find him loud and abrasive. When Chickie is assigned to ride with John for the day, he discovers she has no "command presence" and has lost her edge, suggesting it may be time for her to get out of police work.

Episode credits

Directed by Christopher ChulackWritten by Ann BidermanGuest stars Tom Virtue, Lily Holleman

Where to watch Southland

Episode 4

The Runner

42m8.2 / 10

Lydia and Rene are called to Compton to investigate the murder of a young SULA student, only to discover that the girl was not exactly who her parents claimed she was. Meanwhile, John takes Ben with him to Indian Wells to attend the funeral of his friend, a cop who committed suicide. On the way back, they stop at the rehab center to check in on Dewey.

Episode credits

Directed by Guy FerlandWritten by Diana SonGuest stars Roxana Brusso, Jonathan Castellanos

Where to watch Southland

Episode 5

What Makes Sammy Run?

42m8.8 / 10

After two men murder a man in a crowded nightclub, Nate discovers his daughter was an eyewitness. Meanwhile, tensions rise between Sal and Gil on the gang task force, and Sammy confronts his wife, Tammi, after discovering she has been photographing gang members.

Episode credits

Directed by Félix AlcaláGuest stars Mark Elias, Emily Bergl, Mario Cortez, Jonathan Castellanos

Where to watch Southland

Episode 6

Maximum Deployment

42m8.5 / 10finale

John, Ben, and Chickie are sent out as part of a maximum deployment to capture the “Canyon Rapist,” a perp who's been impersonating a cop. Russell is back, but on light duty as he continues to struggle with his recovery after being shot. While working a double-homicide with his old partner, Lydia, he discovers he's no longer up for the job. Sal plans a special night out to commemorate his wife's promotion, but their evening is ruined when their daughter reveals Sal’s affair with TV news reporter Mia Sanchez. Chickie gets a chance to prove to herself -- and others -- that she still has what it takes to be a good cop.

Episode credits

Guest stars Roxana Brusso, Micah Tayloe Owens, Avner Garbi, Denise Crosby

Where to watch Southland

Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026

More about Southland

Cast

Ben McKenzieBen Sherman
Michael CudlitzOfficer John Cooper
Regina KingDetective Lydia Adams
Shawn HatosyOfficer Sammy Bryant
Arija BareikisOfficer Chickie Brown
Kevin AlejandroDetective Nate Moretta
C. Thomas HowellOfficer Dewey Dudek
Michael McGradyDetective Daniel Salinger

Credits

Created by
Ann Biderman
Written by
Ann Biderman, John Wells, Dee Johnson, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess, Diana Son, Angela Amato Velez, Etan Frankel

Production details

Status
Ended
Series type
Scripted
Episodes
43
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • NBCUnited States
  • TNTUnited States
  • John Wells ProductionsUnited States

Themes

californiadetectivelapdpolicepolicewomanrookierookie copsouthern california