EXCLUSIVE: Azita Ghanizada (Suits LA, The United States of Al), William Fichtner (Armageddon, Mom) and Kathleen Wilhoite (Murdaugh Murders, Road House) have all been set to recur in the upcoming MGM+ series Bosch: Start of Watch, a prequel that expands the Bosch Universe into the past.
Based on Michael Connelly’s best-selling book series, Bosch: Start of Watch is set in 1991 Los Angeles and follows 26-year-old Harry Bosch (Cameron Monaghan) during his earliest days as a rookie cop. The series will explore a city on the edge, teeming with racial tension, gang violence and a fractured LAPD. 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.”
Ghanizada will play Stacy, an ambitious, razor-sharp lawyer drawn to the thrill of criminal power. As a key operator behind the scenes, her budding romance with master thief Cory Harbor pulls her deeper into a dangerous world between professional ambition and personal risk.
Fichtner as Calhern, a respected defense attorney turned power broker in LA’s criminal underworld.
Wilhoite as Helen, Bosch’s devoted foster mother, whose recent loss of her husband has left a deep wound.
The series also stars Omari Hardwick as Eli Bridges, Bosch’s training officer; Ariana Guerra as Rosa, a rookie LAPD officer; and JD Pardo as Cory, a professional thief.
There is no direct source material for Start of Watch since author Michael Connelly’s Bosch book series does not include a prequel. The story came together through bits and pieces from Harry’s early years, which are planted in various novels in the universe, with Connelly calling the prequel “uncharted character territory.”
Produced by Fabel Entertainment, the series is co-created and executive produced by Bosch: Legacy co-developer/executive producer Tom Bernardo and Legacy co-executive producer Brian Anthony, with Bernardo serving as showrunner. Connelly, Henrik Bastin, Jamie Boscardin Martin and Jasmine Russ also serve as executive producers. Theresa Snider co-executive produces for Hieronymus Pictures. Seth Yanklewitz is the casting director.
Ghanizada is repped by Buchwald, Atlas Artists, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. Fichtner is represented by Innovative Artist Entertainment, Thruline and Principal Entertainment LA. Wilhoite is repped by AKA Talent Agency.
