
Since its debut in 2009, “Southland” has transformed the police drama genre with its gritty and realistic portrayal of the lives and duties of Los Angeles detectives and patrol officers. The series follows four primary characters: Officer John Cooper (played by Cudlitz), a veteran cop who must re-establish his capabilities after undergoing surgery; Officer Ben Sherman (portrayed by McKenzie), a rookie still gaining experience after finishing his training; Detective Lydia Adams (played by King), who finds her overwhelming workload increasingly personal; and Sammy Bryant (portrayed by Hatosy), a former detective who returns to uniformed duty following the traumatic loss of his partner.