Summary
Bosch: Legacywill introduce Renee Ballard in the season 3 finale, before the character takes the lead in her own spin-off series. The third and final season ofBosch: Legacywill premiere in March 2025, and the finale will act as a backdoor pilot forBallard. However,fans of the series aren’t familiar with the character, and there is a suggestion she should have been introduced much sooner to create a bond with audiences.
The initial plan was to haveBosch: LegacyandBallardrun alongside each other, but Amazon canceled the parent show last year.Ballard’s setup inBosch: Legacyseason 3 is now more important, as she will be the new face of Michael Connelly’s television universe.It feels like a big risk to relegate Harry Bosch to a recurring role inBallard, while the success of the spin-off show now hinges on a brand-new character.
Ballard Season 1
Starring
Maggie Q, Courtney Taylor, John Carroll Lynch, Michael Mosley, Rebecca Field, Victoria Moroles, Amy Hill, Ricardo Chavira, Noah Bean, Alain Uy, Hector Hugo and Titus Welliver
Based on the books by
Directed by
Jet Wilkinson
Let’s clarify: the creative team behindBosch: Legacydid not plan forRenee Ballardto be front and center of the Bosch-verse after the end of season 3. However, Amazon clearly knew this was the plan, but they failed to share it with the team until the third season had wrapped filming.Ballard could have been introduced as a recurring character at the beginning ofBosch: Legacyin 2022 to allow fans to get accustomed to her,before she took on the reins at the end of season 3.
Ballard will appear in just one episode ofBosch: Legacybefore being thrust into the spotlight as the main lead in her own show.This would have been fine ifBosch: Legacyhad also continued, but it just feels like too much, too soon. IfBosch: LegacyandBallardran alongside each other for the next three or four years,Maggie Q’s cold case investigatorwould be ready to become the main character in the franchise. However, there is still so muchmore to say about Harry Bosch, but his main story is being rushed to its conclusion just because Amazon wants to save money.
Save Bosch: Legacy Key Facts
The Fans Are Now Expected To Follow A Character They Don’t Know While Harry Bosch Is Fazed Out
Bosch: Legacyfans are excited about the introduction of Renee Ballard in season 3, despite Amazon misleading them about the nature of her first appearance. This was billed as an expansion of the Bosch television universe, withBallard teaming up with Bosch on a joint casein the finale, before both characters would continue in their separate shows.The episode won’t be a proper series finale forBosch: Legacy, as it wasn’t written as one.It is now a forced passing of the torch, with Harry Bosch’s solo stories being abruptly ended. It’s hard enough to launch a spin-off series with a popular well-established character, let alone one the fans haven’t even been introduced to yet.
The behind-the-scenes drama caused by Amazon in the lead up toBosch: Legacy’s third season has led to potentially irreparable damage toMichael Connelly’s franchise.The cancelation of a popular series is bad enough, but when it is accompanied by lies, it leaves a sour taste in fans' mouths.Amazon had already committed toBallard, otherwise they would probably have axed it as well, like they have done with theJerry Edgar spin-off. If a spin-off based on a very popular character has been axed before even reaching the filming stages,Ballarddoesn’t stand a chancein the long term.Ballardwill be a very good show, but Amazon probably won’t promote it properly, and subsequently cancel it.
