Ben’s show got picked up and changed its name to Southland.

Posted by Michal on January 15, 2009 | Filed under LAPD, Media Alerts, News & Gossip, Site Updates, Southland, TV News & Reviews | Browse the News Archives

NBC unveiled new spring programming announcements today that include the new John Wells drama “Southland” that will debut on Thursday, April 9 (10-11 p.m. ET) thefutoncritic

NBC and Warner Bros. TV have changed the name of their upcoming John Wells police drama yet again. Once known as “LAPD,” and then “Police,” the show has now been titled “Southland.” variety

SOUTHLAND

From Emmy Award winners John Wells, Ann Biderman and Chris Chulack comes a raw and authentic look at the police unit in Los Angeles. From the beaches of Malibu to the streets of East Los Angeles, “Southland” is a fast-moving drama that will take viewers inside the lives of cops, criminals, victims and their families.

Michael Cudlitz (“A River Runs Through It”) plays John Cooper a seasoned Los Angeles cop assigned to train young rookie Ben Sherman (Benjamin McKenzie, “The O.C.”). Cooper’s honest, no-nonsense approach to the job leaves Sherman questioning whether or not he has what it takes to become a police officer.

Cudlitz and McKenzie are joined by other cast members including Regina King (“Ray,” “Jerry Maguire”) who plays Detective Lydia Adams. Adams lives with and is the primary caregiver of her mother. Her partner, Detective Russell Clarke (Tom Everett Scott, “Boiler Room”) is an unhappily married father of three. Michael McGrady (“The Thin Red Line”) plays Detective Daniel “Sal” Salinger. Sal oversees fellow gang detectives Nate Moretta (Kevin Alejandro, “Drive,” “Ugly Betty”) and Sammy Bryant (Shawn Hatosy, “Alpha Dog”). Arija Bareikis (“Crossing Jordan”) plays as patrol officer Chickie Brown, a single mom who dreams of being the first woman accepted into SWAT.  nbc.com

NBC, John Wells on ‘Police’ beat

Posted by Michal on January 07, 2009 | Filed under LAPD, Media Alerts, News & Gossip, TV News & Reviews | Browse the News Archives

Network eyeing midseason pickup for cop drama

NBC is looking to keep a John Wells-branded drama on the air after the March finale of “ER,” offering to make an episodic order for Wells’ cop drama pilot “Police.”

NBC is in heavy talks with Warner Bros. TV, which produces “Police” (formerly “LAPD”) with studio-based John Wells Prods., for a possible midseason pickup.

According to sources, the network and studio agreed on a license fee for a 12-episode order in the fall. But WBTV is said to have turned down the original order recently, citing changed circumstances during the past month.

Last month, NBC announced that it will strip a comedy talk show hosted by Jay Leno in the 10 p.m. slot beginning in September. That leaves the producers of “Police,” said to believe their show belongs at 10 p.m., faced with uncertainty if NBC would need the series beyond this season.

Also, with the economy worsening and studios forced to trim budgets, deficit-financing 12 episodes is said to be a tough prospect for WBTV.

Nonetheless, NBC and WBTV are trying to hammer out a deal that will work financially for both sides, with scenarios under consideration including trimming the order to six episodes or making the series a co-production with NBC.

Ordered to pilot in June, “Police” is an ensemble show starring Tom Everett Scott, Regina King, Benjamin McKenzie and Kevin Alejandro as a group of police officers in Los Angeles. It’s executive produced by writer Ann Biderman, director Christopher Chulack and Wells.
NBC, John Wells on ‘Police’ beat
Network eyeing midseason pickup for cop drama

hollywoodreporter

More Pictures from the set of LAPD

Posted by Michal on October 14, 2008 | Filed under Gallery Updates, LAPD | Browse the News Archives

Ben films scenes for his new tv pilot ‘LAPD’. Monday, October 13th 2008 in Los Angeles, California.

More in the gallery – On the Set – October 13th, 2008

Ben filming LAPD

Posted by Michal on September 30, 2008 | Filed under Gallery Updates, LAPD, Media Alerts, News & Gossip, Public Appearances, Site Updates | Browse the News Archives

Ben, dressed as an LAPD officer, filming his new TV series (tentatively named LAPD) in Los Angeles, California.

On the Set – September 29, 2008

There’s a video of Ben shooting here. The actor that plays the man Ben is arresting is Taylor Handley (aka Oliver Trask on The OC.)

Ben joins the cast of “LAPD”

Posted by Stef on August 26, 2008 | Filed under LAPD, TV News & Reviews | Browse the News Archives

“LAPD,” an ensemble cop drama from John Wells Prods. and Warner Bros. TV, follows a group of officers in Los Angeles. McKenzie (“The O.C.”) will play Ben, a reserved rookie cop. He is repped by WMA and Management 360. Cudlitz (“Lost”) will play John, Ben’s training officer. He is repped by APA and manager Rick Ax.

Source: hollywoodreporter.com