TNT tells us that production has begun on the fifth season of Southland, their cop drama. The cable channel has ordered 10 installments once again and they’ll begin airing on Wednesday, February 13th. The season is expected to finish on April 17th.

C. Thomas Howell, who was formerly a guest star, will now be a series regular. This season’s guests will include Dorian Missick, Emily Bergl, L. Scott Caldwell, and Chad Michael Murray.

Here’s the press release:

TNT’s “Southland” Hits the Streets of L.A. as Production Begins on Season Five

Acclaimed Drama to Launch New Season in February

Production began last week on the fifth season of the TNT police drama Southland. The critically acclaimed series from Warner Bros. Television and John Wells Productions stars Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy, Regina King and Ben McKenzie. Joining the ranks as a series regular this season will be former guest star C. Thomas Howell. In addition, Dorian Missick, Emily Bergl and L. Scott Caldwell will return as recurring guest stars, and Chad Michael Murray is set to guest-star in a two-episode arc.

Season Five of Southland is slated to premiere Wednesday, February 13, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), exclusively on TNT. The series continues in its regular timeslot on Tuesday nights at 10 p.m.

Since premiering in 2009, Southland has redefined the police drama with its raw, authentic look at the lives and work of Los Angeles detectives and beat cops. Shot on location in the streets and neighborhoods of Los Angeles, Southland captures a realistic, natural environment where similar situations can and often do occur in real life.

In Southland, Cudlitz plays Officer John Cooper, a recovering addict who, this season, starts to wonder what he has really accomplished after more than 20 years on the force. Hatosy plays Officer Sammy Bryant, a detective-turned-beat-cop facing a whole new set of problems with his estranged wife. King plays Detective Lydia Adams, who meets probably the biggest challenge of her life – becoming a mother. And McKenzie is Officer Ben Sherman, whose growing maturity as a cop brings a darker attitude and increased tension between him and his partner, Sammy.

Now a series regular, four-season veteran Howell plays Officer “Dewey” Dudek, a recovering alcoholic who revels in his unpredictable behavior and off-color remarks. Missick reprises his recurring role from last season as Detective Ruben Robinson, who provides some experienced parental insight for his partner, Lydia. Bergl will return as Tammi Bryant, who has brought nothing but trouble upon her soon-to-be ex-husband, Sammy. Caldwell will return in her recurring role as Lydia’s caring but sometimes intrusive mother. And Murray is set to appear in a two-episode arc as Dave Mendoza, a likable cop who is a bit of a loose cannon and whose off-duty behavior may not always be the best influence on Ben.

The fourth season of Southland averaged more than 2.9 million viewers. The show grew its delivery of adults 18-49 by +3% over the previous season to 1.3 million. The show also averaged 1.4 million adults 25-54, a +2% boost over season three.

Southland was created by Emmy(R) winner Ann Biderman (NYPD Blue, Public Enemies) and is executive-produced by Emmy(R) winners Christopher Chulack (ER, Third Watch) and John Wells (ER, The West Wing, Shameless). Chulack is also a primary director of the series, while Jonathan Lisco (The District) serves as executive producer and Andrew Stearn (Shameless, The West Wing) is co-executive producer. The acclaimed series is produced by John Wells Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Connect with TNT’s Southland Website: http://www.tntdrama.com/series/southland/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/southland/ Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Southland_TNT About TNT

TNT is television’s destination for drama. Seen in 99 million households and ranking among cable’s top networks, TNT is home to such original drama series as Rizzoli & Isles, Falling Skies, Dallas, Perception, Major Crimes, Franklin & Bash, Leverage, Southland and the upcoming Monday Mornings. The network also features dramatic unscripted originals like the upcoming Boston’s Finest, 72 Hours and The Hero. In addition, TNT is the cable home to popular dramas like Castle, The Mentalist, Bones, Supernatural, Smallville and Law & Order; primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards? ; blockbuster movies; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR, the NBA and the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.

TNT is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner Broadcasting creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

What do you think? Are you looking forward to watching the fifth season of Southland on TNT?