TNT picks up 'Southland' for Season 4, adds new drama 'Perception'

"Southland" will be back for a fourth season.

TNT announced Tuesday (March 22) that it's picked up a new season of the series. Word of an imminent pickup has been circulating for the past week or so, and it's now official. The cable network ordered 10 episodes for Season 4; there's no word yet on a premiere date.

"'Southland' has been acknowledged by many critics as one of the sharpest, most entertaining and most authentic dramas on television today," Turner programming chief Michael Wright says. "[Executive producers] John Wells, Chris Chulack and their teams created a brilliant roller coaster ride this season, with countless riveting scenes and unforgettable character arcs. We are extremely proud to have 'Southland' on TNT and to bring it back for a fourth season."

The show averaged 2.9 million viewers this season, the first one produced solely for TNT. The six-episode second season was initially shot for NBC; TNT picked it up after NBC scrapped it.

Also Tuesday, TNT gave the green light to a new series called "Perception," starring Eric McCormack ("Will & Grace") as a neuroscientist who works as a consultant for the FBI. It also stars Rachael Leigh Cook (late of "Psych") as McCormack's former student and FBI handler, Kelly Rowan ("The O.C.") as his best friend and Arjay Smith ("The Day After Tomorrow") as his teaching assistant. It will premiere sometime next year.