TNT orders more 'Southland'

LOS ANGELES, April 26 (UPI) -- TNT says it has ordered a third season of its Los Angeles-set police drama "Southland" from Warner Bros. Television and producer John Wells.

The network announced Monday it has ordered 10 episodes for the third season, which is slated to begin airing in January 2011.

"'Southland' is a challenging, visceral show that engages viewers with its immersive style, provocative story lines and complex characters," Michael Wright, executive vice president and head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies, said in a statement. "These qualities have made 'Southland' a favorite among critics and appointment viewing for an extremely loyal audience."

The show stars Kevin Alejandro, Arija Bareikis, Clifton Collins Jr., Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy, Regina King, Michael McGrady, Ben McKenzie and Tom Everett Scott.

TNT picked up "Southland" after the series was dropped by NBC prior to the start of its second season. TNT presented an encore of the seven-episode first season beginning in January 2010, followed by a premiere run of the six-episode second season beginning in March 2010.