The gritty world of Harry Bosch is expanding again, but this time we’re going way back! MGM+ has greenlit Bosch: Start Of Watch, a brand-new prequel series that will introduce us to a rookie Harry in the turbulent Los Angeles of 1991.
TL;DR: Here's the Quick Scoop on the New Bosch Prequel- MGM+ has officially ordered Bosch: Start of Watch, a prequel exploring Harry Bosch's early days as a rookie LAPD officer.
- Cameron Monaghan (from Shameless) will play the young Harry Bosch, with Omari Hardwick (from Power) as his seasoned training officer, Eli Bridges.
- The series is set in 1991 Los Angeles, promising a deep dive into the city's racial tensions, gang violence, and corruption, all while Harry learns his famous "Everybody counts or nobody counts" code.
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Stepping Back in Time to 1991 Los Angeles with Young Harry Bosch
For years, fans have loved Titus Welliver's portrayal of Detective Harry Bosch across seven seasons of the original Bosch on Prime Video and three seasons of its sequel, Bosch: Legacy. But now, we're about to see how the legendary detective got his start!
Bosch: Start of Watch is taking us all the way back to 1991, dropping us into a Los Angeles on the edge. Imagine a city simmering with racial tension, grappling with intense gang violence, and facing a deeply fractured LAPD. That's the backdrop for 26-year-old Harry Bosch's earliest days as a rookie cop.
The official logline gives us a tantalizing hint: "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.'" Sounds like classic Bosch, even in his youth!
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Meet the New Faces Taking On Iconic Roles in the Bosch Universe
Stepping into the very big shoes of Harry Bosch (or, rather, his younger combat boots) is Cameron Monaghan, an actor you might recognize from his decade-long run as Ian Gallagher on Showtime’s Shameless or his double role as the Valeska twins on Fox's Gotham. It’s a fascinating choice, and fans are definitely buzzing about seeing his take on the intensely observant, stoic, and relentless young Harry.
Joining Monaghan is Omari Hardwick, who’s probably best known for his starring role as James "Ghost" St. Patrick on Starz’s hit series Power. Hardwick will play Eli Bridges, a new character not from Michael Connelly’s books. Bridges is described as a Vietnam veteran and a seasoned, "salty, rough-around-the-edges" training officer who mentors Harry through the tough streets and complexities of the LAPD. He's looking for "soldiers," and he finds one in Hieronymus Bosch.
"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," said Michael Wright, head of MGM+. "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."
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Behind the Scenes: The Creative Minds Driving the Prequel Series
Michael Connelly, the celebrated author behind the Harry Bosch novels, is heavily involved as an executive producer. He calls this prequel "uncharted character territory," which is super exciting for long-time readers since his books generally start with an already established Bosch.
Tom Bernardo, a veteran of the Bosch franchise who co-developed and executive produced Bosch: Legacy, will serve as showrunner for Start of Watch. He’s also co-created the series with Brian Anthony, another executive producer who worked on Bosch: Legacy. Other executive producers include Henrik Bastin, Jamie Boscardin Martin, and Jasmine Russ.
Bernardo shared his enthusiasm: "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 legion of readers and the amazing audience that tuned into Bosch and Bosch: Legacy over the years. We’re excited to embark on this journey."
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The Ever-Growing and Shifting Bosch Television Universe
The Bosch franchise has proven to be incredibly durable and popular. It all started with the original Bosch series, which ran for a fantastic seven seasons on Prime Video. That was followed by Bosch: Legacy, a direct sequel that ran for three seasons, initially on Amazon Freevee (which was Amazon's free, ad-supported streaming service) before moving to Prime Video.
And let's not forget the Maggie Q-led spinoff, Ballard, which premiered on Prime Video in July 2025 and has already been renewed for a second season! So, Bosch: Start of Watch will be the fourth series in this sprawling universe and the third focusing on Harry Bosch himself.
However, there's a new twist for fans: Bosch: Start of Watch will be exclusive to MGM+. Amazon owns MGM+, so while it's still under the Amazon umbrella, it means a separate subscription for viewers who previously enjoyed Bosch content through Prime Video or Freevee. This move has been noted by some as a strategy to boost MGM+ subscriptions and manage production costs associated with long-running series.
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Anticipating the Release Date for Bosch: Start of Watch on MGM+
If you're already eager to dive into young Harry's past, you'll need a little patience. Production on Bosch: Start of Watch is scheduled to begin in 2026, and it will film entirely in Los Angeles, just like its predecessors. The series even received a substantial $11.6 million tax credit from the California Film Commission, highlighting the commitment to keeping the production local.
Given the 2026 production start, we can likely expect Bosch: Start of Watch to premiere sometime in late 2026 or early 2027 on MGM+. While no specific release date has been announced yet, it gives us plenty of time to rewatch the original series and Bosch: Legacy to catch up on all things Harry.
What This Prequel Means for Long-Time Bosch Fans
This prequel offers a unique opportunity to explore the foundational experiences that shaped Harry Bosch into the driven, justice-seeking detective we all know. Seeing him as a rookie in a volatile city will undoubtedly shed new light on his "Everybody counts or nobody counts" philosophy and his relentless pursuit of the truth, regardless of the cost.
It's a chance to witness the birth of a legend, understanding the early challenges and moral dilemmas that forged his character. For fans who have followed Harry's journey for years, this is a chance to fill in those crucial backstory gaps and gain an even deeper appreciation for the complex character Michael Connelly created.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions About Bosch: Start of WatchWhere will Bosch: Start of Watch be available to stream?
Bosch: Start of Watch will stream exclusively on MGM+. This means you'll need an MGM+ subscription to watch it.
When does the Bosch prequel series take place?
The series is set in 1991 Los Angeles, focusing on Harry Bosch's earliest days as a rookie LAPD officer.
Who is playing young Harry Bosch in Start of Watch?
Cameron Monaghan, known for his roles in Shameless and Gotham, will portray the young Harry Bosch.
Is Bosch: Start of Watch based on one of Michael Connelly's books?
While inspired by Michael Connelly's universe, Bosch: Start of Watch does not have a direct source novel and explores "uncharted character territory," according to Connelly himself.
When can we expect Bosch: Start of Watch to premiere?
Production is set to begin in 2026, so the series is anticipated to premiere in late 2026 or early 2027.
Sources- Andy Swift, TVLine.com - "Bosch Prequel Series, Starring Cameron Monaghan As Young Harry Bosch, Ordered At MGM+"
- Nellie Andreeva, Deadline.com - "‘Bosch’ Prequel Series ‘Start Of Watch’ Greenlighted By MGM+ With Cameron Monaghan As Young Harry; Omari Hardwick Also Stars"
- Joe Otterson, Variety.com - "‘Bosch’ Prequel ‘Start of Watch’ Ordered at MGM+, Cameron Monaghan and Omari Hardwick to Star"
- James Hibbs, RadioTimes.com - "Acclaimed series on Prime Video is returning for 'compelling' new prequel"
- Dustin Rowles, Pajiba.com - "The Deeply Cynical Logic Behind the New ‘Bosch’ Prequel"
- MovieWeb.com - "Harry Bosch Is Officially Returning As Detective Franchise Expands With New Spinoff"
- James White, Moviefone.com - "Cameron Monaghan to Play Young Bosch in Prequel Series ‘Start of Watch’"