Harry Bosch is going back to the beginning, and he’s got a new face! MGM+ has unveiled the first-look images from ‘Bosch: Start of Watch‘, its upcoming prequel to the hit crime drama, with Cameron Monaghan (Gotham, Shameless) stepping into the shoes of Michael Connelly’s famously uncompromising detective. The eight-episode series arrives in the UK this January.
Rather than following the experienced investigator played by Titus Welliver (Deadwood, Sons of Anarchy) in ‘Bosch’ and ‘Bosch: Legacy’, we’re heading back to 1992 Los Angeles. Harry is just 26, a rookie LAPD officer learning the ropes in a city struggling with racial tension, gang violence and growing unrest, while the police department itself is far from a picture of stability.
His early days on the beat soon drag him into a high-profile heist and a web of criminal corruption, forcing him to decide what wearing the badge really means. Long-time fans already know the principle that will eventually define him: “Everybody counts or nobody counts.” The interesting part here is discovering how he gets there, and just how much trouble he causes along the way.
Alongside Monaghan, Omari Hardwick (Power, Star Trek: Section 31) plays Eli Bridges, a veteran LAPD officer who takes the young Bosch under his wing. The first-look photos show the pair in uniform, offering a glimpse at a relationship that could be crucial in shaping Harry’s early career. Ariana Guerra (Helstrom) also stars as Rosa, with JD Pardo (Mayans M.C.) playing Cory.
The wider cast includes Kathleen Wilhoite, William Fichtner, Rafi Gavron, Raphael Sbarge, Azita Ghanizada, Kenneth Miller, Seamus Dever, Ryan McPartlin, Marco Rodriguez and Shelli Boone.
Of course, Monaghan has some pretty big shoes to fill. Welliver made Harry Bosch his own across seven seasons of ‘Bosch’, followed by three seasons of ‘Bosch: Legacy’, and appearances in the wider franchise, including ‘Ballard’. But that’s also what makes a prequel interesting. We’re not watching the experienced, stubborn detective who always seems to be fighting with his superiors. We’re seeing the younger man before decades of cases, compromises and confrontations have shaped him.
And Monaghan is an intriguing choice for the role. Between his performances as Ian Gallagher in ‘Shameless’ and the wonderfully unhinged Jerome and Jeremiah Valeska in ‘Gotham’, he’s certainly demonstrated he can handle complicated characters. It’ll be interesting to see how he approaches a younger, less experienced Bosch without simply trying to imitate Welliver.
The 1992 setting also offers plenty of dramatic possibilities. Los Angeles was a city on the edge during this period, with deep divisions between communities and law enforcement. Putting an idealistic young officer into that environment, particularly one destined to develop such a fiercely independent moral code, gives the writers plenty to explore beyond the central crime story.
Behind the scenes, ‘Bosch: Start of Watch’ is co-created and executive produced by Tom Bernardo and Brian Anthony, with Bernardo serving as showrunner. Original Bosch author Michael Connelly is also an executive producer, alongside Henrik Bastin, Jamie Boscardin Martin, Stephen Kay and Jasmine Russ. The series is produced by Fabel Entertainment.
The eight-episode season will launch with a double bill before moving to weekly releases, with the finale arriving in February. And for those of us who have been following Harry Bosch’s adventures for years, it’ll be fascinating to see where it all began.
‘Bosch: Start of Watch‘ Season 1 premieres Sunday, 10th January 2027 on MGM+ UK.
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