After years of watching Titus Welliver embody the iconic LAPD detective Harry Bosch across Bosch and Bosch: Legacy, fans are about to meet a much younger version of the character. MGM+ has unveiled the first official image from its upcoming prequel series Bosch: Start of Watch, featuring Cameron Monaghan as the rookie patrol officer who would one day become one of television's most relentless crime solvers.
The image, shared by series author Michael Connelly on his personal website, shows Monaghan seated in a director's chair with Bosch's name on the back, his face turned away from the camera. It's a tantalizing glimpse at a fresh take on a beloved character, one that promises to explore the formative years that shaped Harry's unwavering commitment to justice.
A New Chapter for the Bosch Universe
While Welliver continues to portray the older Harry Bosch in the spin-off series Ballard alongside Maggie Q's Detective Renée Ballard, his future in the franchise beyond that remains uncertain. Start of Watch offers a completely different perspective, diving into the 1990s when Bosch was just a young beat cop finding his footing in Los Angeles. Unlike the previous shows, this prequel isn't directly based on any of Connelly's novels, giving the creative team freedom to explore "uncharted character territory," as Connelly put it.
MGM+ boss Michael Wright has described the series as an origin story that examines how "one of television's most beloved detectives became the man we know today." The show will follow Bosch as a patrol officer, long before he earned his detective's badge and became known for his stubborn refusal to let cases go.
Who's Joining the Cast?
Monaghan leads an impressive ensemble. Omari Hardwick (Power) plays Eli Bridges, Bosch's training officer and mentor, a role that will be crucial in shaping the young cop's approach to policing. The cast also includes William Fichtner (Prison Break) as Calhern, along with Keyon Bowman as Tyrone and Tamica Lee in a supporting role. Notably, Titus Welliver is not expected to appear in the prequel, allowing Monaghan to fully own the character's early years.
This isn't the first time Welliver has stepped away from the Bosch role to explore other projects. He recently starred in MGM+'s gritty crime drama 'The Westies', where he faced off against J.K. Simmons in a story about Hell's Kitchen's deadliest gang. That series, based on true events, showcased Welliver's range beyond the Bosch universe.
What to Expect from 'Start of Watch'
The prequel promises a grittier, more raw version of Harry Bosch. As a young patrol officer, he's still learning the ropes, making mistakes, and developing the moral code that will define his career. The series will explore his early relationships, including his bond with mentor Eli Bridges, and the cases that first ignited his passion for justice.
With no source material to constrain it, Start of Watch can take creative risks while staying true to the character's essence. Fans of the original series will recognize the familiar themes of corruption, loyalty, and the pursuit of truth, but through a fresh lens. The show is set to premiere on MGM+, adding another layer to the expanding Bosch universe that already includes Bosch, Bosch: Legacy, and Ballard.
As production continues, more details about the series are expected to emerge. For now, this first look offers a promising glimpse of what's to come—a younger, hungrier Harry Bosch ready to make his mark on the streets of Los Angeles.
