Cudlitz hints at 'Southland' future

Southland star Michael Cudlitz has revealed that he is hopeful about a fourth season pickup.

The actor, who plays John Cooper, told TV Guide that he "could not be more optimistic about the future of the show".

"I think the show is getting picked up," he said. "It's [just] a matter of how many [episodes]. We've been able to do the show that we set out to do [and] I could not be more proud."

In the third season finale, viewers saw Cudlitz's character submit himself to medical detox to recover from his painkiller addiction, but the actor insisted that a potential fourth run will feature a "badass" Cooper.

"Let's not, even for a second, think that [recovery] would be fun to watch," he suggested. "No one has really ever met a physically sound John Cooper."

Executive producer Christopher Chulack added: "I think I'd want to see him as a cop who hasn't been hindered by this physical manifestation. I think that would give us a different dimension on that character, to see him unencumbered."

The third season of Southland concluded on March 8.

> Southland stars hopeful for renewal