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Because the dramatic door closes on Harry Bosch, a brand new one opens for Renee Ballard to select up his investigative mantle. In November 2023, Selection reported on Amazon MGM Studios’ plans to proceed the overarching Bosch TV universe with an untitled spin-off revolving round Renee Ballard, with Maggie Q set to play the function originated within the Michael Connelly supply novels.

With Bosch: Legacy one step nearer to its 2025 Season 3 premiere, now is an ideal time to relay all of the pertinent info recognized in regards to the untitled Bosch/Ballard spin-off. For example, Amazon ordered a 10-episode season, remaining on par with Bosch and Bosch: Legacy. Past the episode depend, particular particulars in regards to the premise, casting, launch date, and streaming choices will assist put together followers to cross the investigative torch from Bosch to Ballard with out lacking a beat.

Who Is Renee Ballard?

Earlier than detailing what’s recognized in regards to the upcoming police procedural spin-off collection, a personality introduction will assist contextualize how the present suits inside the Bosch universe. Launched in Michael Connelly’s 2017 novel The Late Present, Renee Ballard is a Hawaiian native and 14-year LAPD veteran who has spent the final 10 years as a detective. When the novel begins, Ballard is getting over a sexual harassment grievance that she filed towards her boss, Robert Olivas.

Resulting from her companion failing to help her in court docket, Ballard loses the sexual harassment lawsuit. In consequence, she is punished by Olivas, who forces her to work the evening shift in Hollywood (dubbed “The Late Present”). Caught doing graveyard element in Hollywood’s most harmful corners, Renee’s character informs her detective duties. For example, Ballard’s troubled time as a young person and neglect by her mom left her with a calloused demeanor, sizzling mood, and mistrust.

In the meantime, Renee witnessed her father’s demise after he drowned within the Pacific Ocean when she was a toddler. Between her trauma and steeled persona, Ballard is no person’s idiot with regards to her detective prowess. Following her father’s demise, Renee was taken in by her grandmother in Ventura, California, the place she earned a journalism diploma and used her credentials to work as a criminal offense reporter. In her downtime, Renee enjoys paddleboarding together with her canine Lola at Venice Seashore.

Following her 2017 introduction in The Late Present, Renee Ballard has been featured as a serious character in 5 further novels, together with Darkish Sacred Evening, The Evening Fireplace, The Darkish Hours, Desert Star, and The Ready. Ballard has additionally been featured as a minor character in Resurrection Stroll (through Michael Connelly’s web site).

The Renee Ballard Spinoff Premise, Defined

Following seven seasons of Bosch and three seasons of Bosch: Legacy, the TV universe will proceed with the untitled Renee Ballard spin-off collection. Maggie Q will play Renee Ballard, reinforcing the character’s Hawaiian background. In a traditional back-door introduction, Ballard might be launched in Bosch: Legacy‘s collection finale, which has but to obtain a launch date or title.

In line with Amazon MGM Studios (through Selection), the premise will contain Ballard investigating chilly instances in Los Angeles. The press launch reads:

“[The show] follows Detective Renée Ballard, who’s tasked with operating the LAPD’s new chilly case division—a poorly funded, all-volunteer unit with the biggest case load within the metropolis. Ballard approaches these frozen-in-time instances with empathy and willpower. When she uncovers a bigger conspiracy throughout her investigations, she’ll lean on the help of her retired ally, Harry Bosch, to navigate the risks that threaten each her unit and her life.”

Though unique Bosch star Titus Welliver just isn’t set to take part full time within the untitled spin-off, Michael Connelly stays on board as a producer and has assured followers that they will anticipate extra of the identical to come back. In line with Connelly:

“It’s so thrilling to carry Renée Ballard to the display and to do it with Prime Video, my streaming companions for happening 10 years. This present could have the identical authenticity and propulsive momentum of ‘Bosch: Legacy.’ Followers of the books will like it.”

Prime Video Drops Motion-Packed First Teaser For ‘Ballard’

Prime Video’s newest teaser for Ballard doesn’t waste a second – it launches straight into the center of the detective drama, which is wrapped neatly in motion. We discover Maggie Q’s Renée Ballard, a seasoned investigator in search of redemption, however she’s thrust right into a whirlwind of chilly instances. And whereas that’s precisely what we anticipate from her and the collection, for the protagonist to deal with one daunting case after one other, it’s protected to say that the street to justice goes to be something however easy.

The teaser additionally unfolds pulse-pounding motion scenes and paints Ballard as a detective who is aware of the best way to deal with herself in high-pressure conditions. We see split-second confrontations and sudden bursts of violence, with the teaser constructing anticipation for a relentless storytelling followers of the Bosch universe have turn out to be accustomed to. The largest reveal, nevertheless, is the presence of Titus Welliver’s Henry Bosch. He seems in the direction of the top of the teaser to “Have a phrase” with Ballard. After Maggie Q’s character was first launched within the Bosch: Legacy Season 3 finale, it was apparent that Bosch and Ballard sharing the display can be a serious draw for followers, and now it’s confirmed that Welliver might be reprising the function once more.

Welliver has already shared some insights with MovieWeb’s George Edelman in regards to the upcoming spin-off and the capability during which former detective Harry Bosch will take part in Ballard’s narrative. He stated:

“Even when we got a final season… Harry’s not getting killed, and he is not driving off into the sundown. That is not the way in which he rolls. Michael Connelly and I, and Henrik Basten and Tom Benarda…we’ll do one thing. I imply, this can be a relationship that spans a decade, and we do not need it to finish. And if it is not going to be Bosch, it is going to be one thing else.”

The implication? Bosch’s presence within the spin-off is much from a cameo – it’s a significant extension of his character’s journey. Which is to say that Bosch’s legacy is much from over, and his mentorship (or maybe his conflict) with Ballard may simply be one of many upcoming collection’ most compelling parts.

Extra Casting in ‘Ballard’

4 months after Q was introduced to guide the brand new Renee Ballard spin-off, extra casting tidbits have been introduced. The primary spherical got here when Deadline reported that honored character actor John Carroll Lynch would play “Thomas Laffont, a retired former police companion who comes again to assist Ballard run the division. A sort, seasoned detective and crack interrogator — he’s a rock for Ballard.“

The information got here a couple of days after it was introduced that Courtney Taylor had been forged as Samira Parker, who’s described as:

“A cautious, impulsive, and difficult lady with a burning need for justice. Rising up, most everybody Samira knew shared a wholesome mistrust of the police, however her grandfather, whom Samira seemed as much as as a child, was on the drive and believed in utilizing his police badge to guard and support his neighborhood. Nevertheless, being a cop now’s a special sort of problem than it was again then.”

A month later, Selection reported that Rebecca Hill, Amy Hill, Michael Mosley, and Victoria Moroles would star alongside Q, offering additional particulars in regards to the characters they might painting. For example, Discipline will play Colleen Hatteras, described as “An enthusiastic and eccentric volunteer who believes her ‘intuitions’ may very well be useful in fixing instances.” Hill is slated to play Tutu, “Ballard’s spunky grandma and largest supply of help.” In the meantime, Mosley will painting Ted Rawls as “A reserve officer who has reluctantly been assigned to chilly instances to control Ballard.” Lastly, Moroles will depict Martina Castro as “A pointy authorized intern who is raring to show her value to the division.”

Whereas their character particulars are extra obscure, the Ballard/Bosch casting is rounded out by Hector Hugo (Captain Berchem), Ricardo Chavira (Detective Robert Olivas), Michael Cassidy (Aaron), Joseph Schwartz (Spencer), Noah Bean (Jake Pearlmann), Jesse C. Boyd (Damen Pincher), Alexis Krause (Lucy Duncan), William Mark McCullough, (Zander Coleman), Alain Uy (Nelson Hastings), and John Lee Ames (Sean “Frosty” Wright).

It is also value noting that Titus Welliver will seem as Harry Bosch in at the very least one episode of the Ballard spin-off. Nevertheless, it is unclear if Madison Lintz, who stars as Maddie Bosch in Bosch: Legacy, will reprise her function. Bosch & Bosch: Legacy is offered to stream on Amazon Prime Video & Freevee.