David E. Kelley is heading back into the world of Michael Connelly, with HBO Max developing a new police drama based on the author’s 2025 bestseller Nightshade.
Titled ‘Welcome To Catalina’, the project centres on Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Stilwell, a brand new Connelly protagonist who has been “exiled” to what should be a quieter posting on rustic Catalina Island. Naturally, because this is a crime drama and not a tourism advert, that peace does not last long. While dealing with the usual drunk-and-disorderlies and petty thefts that come with the territory, Stilwell is called to investigate when a body is found weighed down at the bottom of the harbour.
Stilwell operates in the same connected novel universe as Harry Bosch, Mickey Haller, and Renée Ballard, although he does not directly interact face-to-face with Connelly’s more established heroes. Connelly’s books include subtle shout-outs and throwaway lines referencing recent events, cases, and situations from the Ballard and Bosch novels, placing Stilwell within that wider interconnected LAPD and Los Angeles law enforcement world.
That makes Welcome To Catalina potentially the third ongoing TV strand drawn from Connelly’s shared novel universe… but, on a third different streamer. The Lincoln Lawyer is on Netflix, whilst the Bosch/Ballard side of the universe sits over on Prime Video, and Welcome To Catalina is now in development at HBO Max. So, whilst the books may share a universe, don’t expect a grand Michael Connelly TV crossover event any time soon. Although, with The Lincoln Lawyer heading into its fifth and final season, there may be a little wiggle room on the Mickey Haller side, even if the Bosch brand remains an ongoing concern at Prime Video with Ballard and the upcoming young Bosch series Bosch: Start Of Watch.
Kelley is writing the adaptation and will executive produce alongside Matt Tinker, President of David E. Kelley Productions. Also executive producing are The Lincoln Lawyer team Barry Jossen and Tana Jamieson of A+E Studios, Ross Fineman of Ross Fineman Entertainment, and Michael Connelly himself. HBO Max is the lead studio, with A+E Studios as co-studio.
The project arrives as The Lincoln Lawyer, which Kelley created for Netflix based on Connelly’s novel The Brass Verdict, is filming its fifth and final season. Kelley has also previously attempted to bring Connelly’s Catalina Island-set short story Avalon to television for ABC. That version starred Neve Campbell as Nicole “Nic” Searcy, a female L.A. Sheriff’s Department detective, but ultimately did not move forward.
Welcome To Catalina is being developed under HBO Max’s new drama procedural model, which is designed for shows that can return annually with larger episode orders at a more controlled cost. The model was introduced with the medical drama The Pitt, which produces 15 episodes a year.
There should also be more material for Kelley and HBO Max to work with if the drama does move forward. Nightshade is the first Stilwell novel, with the second book, Ironwood, published in May 2026, and given Connelly’s track record with Bosch, Ballard and Haller, it seems reasonable to presume he may not be done with Catalina Island just yet.
Kelley certainly has the procedural and broadcast pedigree for that sort of structure, with earlier hits including The Practice and Ally McBeal, along with more recent series such as Big Sky. His current slate also includes Apple TV comedy Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Apple TV drama Presumed Innocent, HBO’s Big Little Lies, and the recently announced Myron Bolitar series for Netflix.
‘Welcome To Catalina’ is currently classed as “in development” so may, or may not, make it to series. We’ll let you know when we hear more!
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