Regina King has gone from teen actor to leading lady. She got her start as a young girl in the 80’s television series “227” (playing Marla Gibbs’ daughter) and she hasn’t looked back since. Best known for movies like Jerry Maguire, Boyz n the Hood, and Ray, she is currently starring in the television drama Southland as Detective Lydia Adams. Before getting her start in show-biz, this Los Angeles native studied acting with Betty Bridges, mom of Todd Bridges of “Different Strokes” fame. From television, to movies, to providing voices for the animated series The Boondocks, King stays busy doing what she loves. She has worked consistently from a young age and has proved her talent many times over by doing everything from comedies to dramas. Her most recent movie, coming to theaters in March, is Our Family Wedding, costarring Forest Whitaker, America Ferrera, and Taye Diggs.

Her latest television role is on the gritty TV series Southland. Playing the smart and perceptive homicide detective, Lydia Adams, she may seem cool, calm and by-the-book but when her character is alone, that’s when she allows herself to feel the effects of her high-stress job. Fans of the show will finally have a chance to see six new episodes on TNT beginning Tuesday, March 2nd. Southland takes a true to life and often raw look at police work in Los Angeles.