Southland Might Get a Second Chance With TNT

Less than a week after Movieline declared Jay Leno's first victim dead, TNT is reportedly in talks to lift Southland from NBC's mass scripted grave. The cable channel and the series' studio, Warner Bros. TV, are silently moving forward in negotiations, with a single clue from TNT: "We continually look at all programming opportunities that fit our portfolio of brands." Although Southland's move might be a bummer to anyone without a cable package, Movieline thinks that the switchover would be beneficial for both the channel and the short-ended series.

Southland's downfall with the Peacock network may have been due to its Leno-unfriendly grittiness, which star Michael Cudlitz mentioned last week: "[NBC] said they watched the first [four] episodes and determined that they were too dark." Fortunately for Southland's loyal fan base, the second season police drama fits neatly into TNT's dark, procedural-heavy line-up. With Turner's original series The Closer, Saving Grace, Leverage and Dark Blue, and syndicated programs Bones, Numb3rs and CSI: NY, the network has an established audience hungry for smart crime programs that don't always err on the side of light outcomes, cookie cutter characters and celebrity cameos.

There is no word on whether TNT is planning on buying the six episodes that have already been paid for or whether the channel will commit to an extended season. Either way, Southland will certainly get more promotional attention from the cable network than it did from NBC.

Now, if only The Beautiful Life could find a generous cable benefactor.

· Southland Might Have New Home at TNT [Hollywood Reporter]