MGM+ has greenlit a new series set in the Harry Bosch universe. Titled
"Bosch: Start of Watch", the show is a prequel that explores the origin story of
Michael Connelly's iconic detective originally portrayed by
Titus Welliver. Produced by Fabel Entertainment, the series is co-created and executive produced by
"Bosch: Legacy" co-developer/executive producer
Tom Bernardo and co-executive producer
Brian Anthony, with Bernardo serving as showrunner. Connelly,
Henrik Bastin, Jamie Boscardin Martin and
Jasmine Russ also serve as executive producers.
Theresa Snider co-executive produces for Hieronymus Pictures.
Seth Yanklewitz is the casting director.
"Bosch: Start of Watch" stars
Cameron Monaghan (
"Shameless") as rookie cop Harry Bosch, and
Omari Hardwick (
"Power") will play his training officer, police veteran Eli Bridges, a new character not in the book mythology. The show is now based on any original source material since Connelly' novels do not include any origin stories for the character apart from bits and pieces from Harry's early years scattered across various books in the universe.
Set in 1991 Los Angeles, the new show follows 26-year-old Harry Bosch during his earliest days as a rookie cop. The series will explore a city on the edge, teeming with racial tension, gang violence and a fractured LAPD. Amid routine calls and growing unrest, Bosch finds himself drawn into a high-profile heist and a web of criminal corruption that will test his loyalty to the badge and shape his future as the detective who lives by the code
"Everybody counts or nobody counts".
Harry Bosch, an intensely observant, stoic and unyielding young man, is a probationary patrol officer with the LAPD. He possesses all the qualities that will come to mark his legendary career: he’s smart, relentless, determined, fiercely protective of the victims of crime. Training Officer Bridges (Hardwick) is a Vietnam vet, a seasoned, salty, rough-around-the-edges kind of cop who mentors Harry through the mean streets of Los Angeles and the complicated world of the LAPD. Bridges is fighting a war on the streets and looking for soldiers, and they don’t come any brighter than Hieronymus Bosch.
"Bosch: Start of Watch" will film in Los Angeles, and it recently received a tax credit from the California Film Commission alongside the other Bosch spinoff series
"Ballard", which is getting ready to film its second season. Submitted as "Project 2997 S1", it landed $11.6M credit on $33.2M qualified local expenditures.
Michael Wright, head of MGM+, said the following:
"We are thrilled to expand the Bosch universe with this compelling origin story that showcases how one of television's most beloved detectives became the man we know today. With Cameron Monaghan and Omari Hardwick bringing these complex characters to life, and the creative vision of Michael Connelly and our talented executive producers, Bosch: Start of Watch promises to deliver the gritty, authentic storytelling that honors the franchise's legacy while opening an exciting new chapter."
Connelly added:
"I'm deeply grateful to Michael Wright and the team at MGM+ for championing this next chapter in Bosch's journey with such remarkable care and integrity. Being able to see how Harry Bosch became the man we have loved for 10 seasons is a gift to me and his many fans. I can't wait to dig in with Cameron and the writers to explore this uncharted character territory."
"Bosch: Start of Watch" will be available on the MGM+ platform in the U.S., UK, Italy, Germany, Spain, Latin America, Belgium and the Netherlands.
