We recently had an opportunity to speak with several members of the cast including Benjamin McKenzie, Michael Cudlitz, Regina King and Shawn Hatosy, on the eve of their first table read for the new season. The cast members discussed the upcoming season, the move to TNT, their characters and how the show has changed since last season. 

TV Guide (the 24th, Nov. 2010)

Jenny Gago has joined the cast of TNT’s Southland

The 25-year film and TV vet will recur as Detective Josie Ochoa, a take-charge investigator partnered with Detective Lydia Adams (Regina King). She’s been shot in the line of duty and is a tough mother of several sons. Josie’s Latina culture gives her a unique perspective on cases that changes the way Lydia thinks about her work.

Continue reading at http://www.tvguide.com/News/Southland-Jenny-Gago-1026086.aspx

From Ben’s Blog on TVGuide.com

Well this is it. The final episode of Season 2 (or Season 1.5, depending on how one keeps score.) Not so much a season finale, more the sixth episode of what was supposed to be at least 13 on NBC (before we were so unceremoniously cancelled before premiering). I wish I could say that this episode wraps up the plot lines in nice little bows, providing all of us — cast and crew as well as fans —some closure if in fact this episode does serve as a series finale. The truth is it doesn’t.

Continue reading at http://www.tvguide.com/Celebrity-Blogs/Southlands-Ben-McKenzie-1016961.aspx

From TVGuide.com:

All week I’ve been trying to come up with a subject for this blog post. It’s not that I don’t have plenty to choose from as “The Runner” features a new partner for Lydia, the murder of a college athlete, and a trip to desert for John and Ben. Rather, I think I’ve been a bit overly serious in some prior posts and I want to have fun on this one. So, without further ado, a little love letter to one of my favorite actors, who also happens to work on “Southland.” C. Thomas Howell. I love C. Thomas Howell.

Read more at:  http://www.tvguide.com/Celebrity-Blogs/Southlands-Ben-McKenzie-1016561.aspx

From Ben’s Blog on TVGuide.com:

Photo credit Warner Television/TNT

By Ben McKenzie
Mar 16, 2010 11:25 AM ET

This week’s episode is a very exciting one for me. For the first time, my character will be patrolling the streets alone, without the help of his partner. It can be a nerve-wracking experience for any cop — much less a rookie — to go it alone. The LAPD always partners up patrol cops, except for the sergeants (who act more as supervisors than first-responders). This is primarily for safety reasons: With two cops working in tandem, each can guard the other’s back. If one is incapacitated the other can radio for backup. If one is making a poor decision in a given scenario, the other can often correct that mistake before it proves fatal. John Cooper’s tutelage of Ben Sherman, while seemingly harsh, is necessary so that the rookie learns to make decisions that are in the best interest of both partners. Rookies sometimes have a cowboy mentality — I’m gonna do this alone — and this is not only foolish but dangerous.

In “U-Boat”, however, I am alone. My character ends up responding to a variety of calls by himself. Two of the calls share something in common: One person is being harassed or humiliated by another person, yet there is little the cops can do about it legally.

Continue reading at http://www.tvguide.com/Celebrity-Blogs/Southlands-Ben-McKenzie-1016297.aspx