TNT picks up acclaimed police drama ‘Southland,’ axed recently by its original network, NBC

TNT picks up NBC’s axed police drama ‘Southland’

NEW YORK — Cable network TNT says it has rescued the shot-down NBC cop drama “Southland” and will bring it back in the new year.

Beginning Jan. 12, TNT will broadcast all six episodes that were shot by NBC for its aborted second season, as well as the seven episodes from the first season.

Produced by John Wells of “ER” fame, “Southland” won good reviews but not-so-good ratings when it premiered last spring on NBC. It was renewed for this fall, but NBC canceled it before its October return.

Set in Los Angeles, the gritty drama stars Ben McKenzie, Regina King and Tom Everett Scott.

TNT is a unit of Time Warner Inc.; NBC is owned by General Electric Co.