Syfy remains in Defiance, TNT axes Southland

US channel Syfy has greenlit a second season of its breakout sci-fi hit Defiance, while cable rival TNT has axed a pair of dramas, including critically acclaimed cop series Southland.

Defiance, which follows a town in which humans attempt to live peacefully with aliens in a post-apocalyptic near future, scored Syfy’s biggest premiere ratings in nine years upon its launch on April 15 – and the second biggest in its history. Its ensemble cast includes Grant Bowler, Julie Benz and Stephanie Leonidas. Universal Cable Productions returns to produce the new season.

In further cable news, Turner-owned TNT has dropped Southland after four seasons. Its fifth and most recent season finale scored a 1.8 million viewers but has still met the axe. “We are enormously proud of Southland, which stands as one of the best police dramas ever made,” said TNT in a statement.

Also given the boot was medical drama Monday Mornings, which struggled in the ratings department.