After one of Amazon Prime Video's longest-running properties, Bosch, came to an end — after a ten-seas0n run for the original standalone series and a three-season run for the spin-off Bosch: Legacy — fans of the Titus Welliver-fronted investigative series, which comes from the imagination of author Michael Connelly, fans wondered what next. The answer came in the form of Ballard, a new spin-off series named after Detective Renée Ballard, played by Maggie Q.
A standalone series, Ballard has a connection to Bosch: Legacy in that the character appeared in the series finale. The character, a detective with her own identity, investigates a cold case at the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). On taking the part, Maggie Q says she was immediately onboard because she was instantly drawn to the character.
“I was so surprised how much I liked the material immediately, and the character development of not just Ballard, but everyone in the show,” Q said in an Amazon press statement. “It’s rare to like something right away. It wasn’t until I got back and got to sit down with Michael Connelly and some of the producers from Bosch, to talk about why we should do this together. Once I got to know them, I was in.”
Maggie, who is popular with audiences through her notable action-movie appearances in movies like Mission: Impossible III, the Divergent film series, Priest, and Live Free or Die Hard, aside from TV appearances in shows like Nikita and Stalker, said the world created by Michael Connelly instantly pulled her in.
"I remember reading the books and really having this vision in my mind, that I prayed we were going to realise in this show,” she says. “When we were filming, what was materialising was what I had in my mind from the books. I hope fans of the books see that and appreciate that, but realise with an adaptation, you also have to take some creative license.”
Interestingly, the inspiration for Ballard is Mitzi Roberts, a real-life LAPD detective with whom Maggie worked closely to prepare for the role.
The most exciting element for fans who followed Bosch and Bosch: Legacy is the involvement of Harry Bosch himself in the show. Titus Welliver reprises his character as the now-retired detective who will work with Ballard to solve a sinister new case.
“When we revisit this relationship, this is somebody she has a respect for, but also someone she trusts with her secrets,” Maggie says. “But when she needs to get into the nitty-gritty and get stuff done, Bosch is a trusted source she can call. Personally, just working with Titus, I have the best time. I hope the fans of Bosch will see that and enjoy it.”
Ballard, which contains 10 episodes, is now streaming on Prime Video.
