Tonight, TNT airs the last episode of Southland’s fifth season. Will the cop drama be cancelled or renewed for a fifth season instead? How are the ratings?
Southland follows the lives of a group of police officers who “serve and protect” the residents of Los Angeles. The ensemble cast includes Michael Cudlitz, Benjamin McKenzie, Regina King, Shawn Hatosy, C. Thomas Howell, and Tom Everett Scott.
The fourth season of Southland attracted an average of 1.84 million total viewers with a 0.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic. That was down from season three which averaged 1.99 million and a 0.7 in the demo.
Season five dropped even lower. The nine episodes have dropped 24% to 1.4 million with a 0.5 rating. Dallas, which has been airing on Monday nights, has done much better — averaging 2.67 million and a 0.8 rating.
TNT has taken great pride in airing Southland but these numbers are not good and they could easily choose to cancel it. Or, they could bargain to give the series one final season for closure.
The cast and crew have produced just 43 episodes over the five seasons and unfortunately even one more season won’t give them enough for much of a syndication package.
If TNT does cancel the show, viewers may not have long to miss some of the show’s stars. McKenzie, King, and Hatosy have all signed on to star in new TV show pilots. If Southland does continue, they’ll return to TNT.
What do you think? Should Southland be cancelled or renewed? If tonight’s is the last episode, do you think it’s a satisfying ending to the series?
One of the best shows on TV. Can’t understand the bad ratings
Please, oh please, don’t cancel Southland!!! It’s one of my favorites. Great writing, acting, and cinematography – don’t break my heart …
Great show! Always a favorite.i think the comment about discerning viewers is right on.I prefer adult, well produced show whether there on FX, TNT, USa ,etc.. Please give us one more season for closure.
the finale was the type of show that brought me to this website.
I thought as the camera shot of Cooper dieing (?)in the alley was, that ‘s the end.
I hope not.
Keep the show going
Well written, well acted, well of course it should continue. One of the most consistently gripping hours on TV. Trouble is, TV is big business and the only thing that matters are the numbers – the right amount of viewers from the right demographic. Southland is for the mature, discerning viewer which puts it at a distinct disadvantage. My hopes are that it will continue but…
Here is the petition for season 6 . Pass it on please, thanks.
https://www.change.org/petitions/turner-network-television-tnt-renewal-of-southland-season-6
Don’t cancel. Excellent show
One of the best cop shows on tv. The charactors seem very real in the situations that they are involved in. Look forward every Wednesday to the next
episode. I hope that it returns to finish out the story lines.
Tell TNT viewers who are over their target demo still watch and love Southland! Please don’t cancel a well written drama to make way for something to attract 20 somethings like another reality show or comedy. I missed watching Southland when it was on NBC but, have been a regular viewer since TNT wisely picked it up.
Being a cop of (20) years, I can tell you that Southland is one of the most realistic shows at mostly, “showing it the way it is” on the streets. The John Cooper character would take a lot more sass from the boys if he walked around w/ that puss on all day long though. One more season, please.
There are few TV shows that I look forward to watching and Southland is one of them. It’s the best written, directed, acted…COP show in a very long time. It has a strong cast who makes their characters believable. I hope this show does not fall victim to bad network decisions and to the mindless reality show craze. Toss out one piece of creative art (Southland) to be replaced by velvet, card-playing dog pictures (Reality Shows)?…I sure hope not.
Southland is by far the best cop show on tv. It’s real, it’s gritty and it has great actors. I do think it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring in some fresh blood. The whole problem with tv now is everyone is addicted to reality tv including my wife, people don’t want to invest time in a show only to have it cancelled which is what happens to most shows, anyway I really hope Southland comes back…………
Sammie trust me, I’m not the dirty cop you think I am. I can be rehabilitated I just need another season to prove myself. Please bring me back for one more ride in the black and white.
This is one of my favorite shows on television. It’s great and if it gets cancelled, I’m going to be very angry. These TV execs always seem to cancel the good shows. It’s not the show’s fault that our society is full of idiots who love and slobber over shows like Glee and American Idol and would rather watch trash like that than good shows that are well written and acted. This is undoubtedly the best cop show in a very long time, if not ever! Please don’t cancel it! And as for Cooper, he is one tough SOB and… Read more »
DON’T CANCELL SOUTHLAND IT’S THE BEST COP SHOW HANDS DOWN.IT WOULD BE FOOLISH TO END THE SHOW.LOVE THE CAST