Do you need to watch Bosch before Ballard? Chronology of the action franchise, explained

While fans were reeling from the loss of Titus Welliver-led Bosch, Amazon Prime Video premiered Ballard, a spin-off series from the same universe. Based on Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch novel series, Bosch debuted in 2021 and ran for seven seasons.

However, this was not the end for Titus Welliver's character as he returned in the sequel, Bosch: Legacy. While the series was highly popular among fans, Prime Video cancelled it after three seasons due to high production costs.

Months after this disappointing news, the platform announced Ballard, a spin-off of Bosch. Hailing from the same universe, the spin-off series stars actress Maggie Q and is based on Michael Connelly's novel series.

While the shows share the same universe, it is not necessary to watch Bosch before Ballard. However, one can catch up on the Bosch: Legacy series finale, which introduced Q's character in the universe.

More on this in our story.

The Bosch: Legacy Season 3 finale worked as a backdoor pilot for Ballard

Ballard works as an independent series, and one does not need to watch Bosch or Bosch: Legacy to enjoy it completely.

However, since the show is set in the same universe as Harry Bosch and follows the same stylistic themes, one can catch up on the Bosch: Legacy series finale, which also served as the backdoor pilot for the spin-off series.

Since Bosch: Legacy was cancelled after its third season, much to the disappointment of its fans, the last two episodes helped introduce Maggie Q's character and passed the baton to Renee. The series finale also featured the Flower Girls' murder case, one of the most brutal cold cases for Harry, which still gave him nightmares and guilt about his failure to solve it.

In Bosch: Legacy Season 3 Episode 9, the stage was set for Maggie Q's character to make her impressive debut in the universe. In the series finale, Renee, a Robbery-Homicide Division Agent, took Harry's Flower Girls' case with a renewed sense of duty and rigour. While she initially suspected Bosch of foul play and tampering with the evidence, this eventually helped establish her as a no-nonsense Detective, dedicated solely to her job.

As the finale progressed, Bosch and Ballard teamed up and finally solved the Flower Girls murder case, putting a satisfying end to Titus Welliver's character. While the two characters initially had a rough start, Bosch suggested the two will surely meet again in the future, setting the stage for Maggie Q's character in the spin-off series.

Titus Welliver's Harry Bosch also appeared in the spin-off show

The Bosch: Legacy series finale was enough to establish Maggie Q's character in the spin-off series, who looked promising and impressive in the role of the titular detective. However, fans were delightfully surprised when Titus Welliver reprised his Bosch character in Ballard.

Since the actor has played the character for a decade, it was hard for fans to say goodbye to the character. After months of Bosch's cancellation, Welliver again appeared as the character in the spin-off show, but in a new avatar.

As promised in the series finale, the detectives crossed paths in the premiere, but Harry Bosch's presence was more of a seasoned detective than the character we had loved on television. Welliver's presence was not over-the-top, but he appeared in measured capacities throughout the spin-off, providing his guidance whenever necessary.

Welliver's presence helped bridge the gap between the parent and the spin-off, while also making space for Maggie Q to establish her character. The fans appreciated Bosch's return as much as they welcomed Ballard to the universe.

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