TNT Picks Up Acclaimed Drama SOUTHLAND

TNT has picked up the critically acclaimed series SOUTHLAND, closing a deal with Warner Bros. Television that will bring the drama from Emmy-winning producer John Wells (ER, The West Wing) to the network in January. TNT has obtained exclusive rights to air all six episodes that have been shot for the second season, as well as the seven episodes from the series' first season. SOUTHLAND will air on TNT Tuesdays at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), beginning with the first episode of the series on Jan. 12.

"This is a great win for fans of SOUTHLAND and a perfect opportunity to introduce the series to new viewers," said Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks. "It's also another outstanding example of how TNT has established itself as the go-to place for the best dramas on television."

"We are extremely pleased that TNT has acquired all 13 episodes of SOUTHLAND, giving devoted fans the opportunity to watch a show that they passionately support," said Peter Roth, president of Warner Bros. Television.

"We're delighted that TNT has stepped forward to pick up SOUTHLAND. We are all extremely proud of the show," Wells said.

SOUTHLAND premiered on NBC in April to rave reviews. The series was called "tough-minded [and] suspenseful" by The New York Times, which also said, "SOUTHLAND is commendably stinting and cold, a series that doesn't aim to please, and is all the more pleasurable for it." The Hollywood Reporter called SOUTHLAND "exciting, smart, realistic and brilliant," while Daily Variety said, "[John] Wells and company have delivered a cop drama with its own racing pulse. The crisp execution has a decidedly elite cable feel.

In SOUTHLAND, John Cooper (Michael Cudlitz A River Runs Through It) is a veteran cop assigned to train young rookie Ben Sherman (Ben McKenzie The O.C.). Cooper attacks his job with a no-nonsense firmness that sometimes leaves Sherman wondering if he's really cut out to be a cop.

The series also follows Detective Lydia Adams (Regina King Ray, Jerry Maguire), who spends her off-work hours serving as her mother's primary caregiver. Her partner, Detective Russell Clarke (Tom Everett Scott Boiler Room), is a father struggling with an unhappy marriage. Detective Daniel "Sal" Salinger (Michael McGrady The Thin Red Line) oversees a unit of gang detectives, including Nate Moretta (Kevin Alejandro Drive, Ugly Betty) and Sammy Bryant (Shawn Hatosy Alpha Dog). And patrol officer Chickie Brown (Arija Bareikis Crossing Jordan) is a single mom determined to make her mark as the first woman in the SWAT unit.

SOUTHLAND is from John Wells Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Created by Emmy winner Ann Biderman (NYPD Blue, Public Enemies), the series is executive-produced by Biderman, Emmy winner Chris Chulack (ER, Third Watch) and Wells. Chulack is also a primary director of the series.

Warner Bros. Television (WBTV) is one of the entertainment industry's most respected providers of original content, producing award-winning drama and comedy series for both broadcast network television and cable. For the 2009-2010 television season, WBTV is producing more than 25 primetime series, with at least one show on each of the five broadcast networks. New programs include the one-hour drama The Vampire Diaries, the #1 show on The CW; one-hour shows Human Target and Past Life for Fox; the hourlong V, Eastwick and The Forgotten, as well as half-hour comedies The Middle and Hank for ABC; and an untitled medical drama from Jerry Bruckheimer Television for midseason on CBS, among others. Continuing programs include TV's #1 comedy among households and total viewers in Two and a Half Men, TV's #1 comedy among adults 18-49 in The Big Bang Theory, the #1 new program of 2008-2009 among households and total viewers in The Mentalist, the Julia Louis-Dreyfus-starring comedy The New Adventures of Old Christine and veteran drama Cold Case for CBS; the #1 new program of 2008-2009 among adults 18-49 in Fringe for Fox; Chuck for NBC; and Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, Smallville and Supernatural for The CW. WBTV also produces The Closer for TNT and Nip/Tuck for FX.

TNT, one of cable's top-rated networks, is television's destination for drama and home to such original series as the acclaimed and highly popular detective drama The Closer, starring Kyra Sedgwick; Saving Grace, starring Holly Hunter; HawthoRNe, with Jada Pinkett Smith; Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton; Raising the Bar, with Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Gloria Reuben and Jane Kaczmarek; and Dark Blue, starring Dylan McDermott. TNT also presents such powerful dramas as Bones, CSI: NY and Numb3rs; broadcast premiere movies; compelling primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA. TNT is available in high-definition.

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