Amazon Expands the ‘Bosch’ Universe with New MGM Prequel Series Currently in the Works

The world of Bosch is getting even bigger, with Amazon’s MGM+ giving the green light to a new prequel series called Bosch: Start of Watch. The show will dive into the early days of detective Harry Bosch, one of the most popular crime characters created by author Michael Connelly.

According to Deadline, the series will star Cameron Monaghan, known for Shameless and Gotham, as a young Harry Bosch. Omari Hardwick from Power will play his training officer, Eli Bridges, a brand-new character not featured in Connelly’s books. The story will explore Bosch’s first years in the LAPD, long before he became the seasoned detective fans know from the original Bosch series.

There isn’t a direct novel behind Start of Watch, but Connelly has sprinkled pieces of Bosch’s backstory throughout his books. He called the prequel “uncharted character territory,” showing a side of Bosch that hasn’t been seen before.

Michael Wright, head of MGM+, said in a statement, “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, Bosch: Start of Watch promises to deliver the gritty, authentic storytelling that honors the franchise’s legacy while opening an exciting new chapter.”

This will be the fourth series in the Bosch franchise. The original Bosch ran for seven seasons on Prime Video, followed by Bosch: Legacy on Amazon Freevee and Prime Video, and Ballard, starring Maggie Q, which was recently renewed for a second season. Bosch: Start of Watch will stream on MGM+.

Michael Connelly, who serves as an executive producer, shared his excitement for the project, saying, “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.”

The series will be filmed in Los Angeles, just like the other Bosch projects. It recently received an $11.6 million tax credit from the California Film Commission. Executive producer Henrik Bastin said that filming in L.A. is “a rare privilege these days,” adding that it allows the team to work with the best local talent and stay true to the city that shaped Bosch’s story.

In Start of Watch, Bosch will be shown as a young, driven LAPD officer who already shows the traits that define his career, sharp instincts, strong principles, and an unshakable sense of justice. His mentor, Eli Bridges, is described as a tough, old-school cop and Vietnam veteran who guides Bosch through the rough realities of policing Los Angeles in the early 1990s.

Showrunner Tom Bernardo, a longtime Bosch writer and producer, said, “It’s a terrific privilege to be able to explore both the origins of this iconic character and the Los Angeles that formed him in the early 1990s. In telling the story of a young Harry Bosch, we want to honor the faith of Michael Connelly’s readers and the amazing audience that tuned into Bosch and Bosch: Legacy over the years.”

Cameron Monaghan and Omari Hardwick bring plenty of experience to the project. Monaghan is best known for his role as Ian Gallagher in Shameless and for playing the Valeska twins in Gotham. Hardwick became a household name with his performance as Ghost in Power and recently appeared alongside Michelle Yeoh in Star Trek: Section 31.

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