TNT renews “Southland”

TNT has ordered a third season of the gritty cop drama Southland, which features a gay cop played by Michael Cudlitz.

As you probably know, the show was saved by TNT after NBC canceled it just weeks before its second season premiere. It’s just been announced that the cable network will produced 10 new episodes for season three which will begin airing next January.

“Southland is a challenging, visceral show that engages viewers with its immersive style, provocative storylines and complex characters,” said TNT exec Michael Wright said in a statement. “These qualities have made Southland a favorite among critics and appointment viewing for an extremely loyal audience.”

The show focuses on a rookie patrol cop, played by Ben McKenzie, who is paired with the street-wise cop played by Cudlitz. The cast also includes Regina King, Kevin Alejandro, Arija Bareikis, Shawn Hatosy, Michael McGrady and Tom Everett Scott.